Give for CAN Dance

CAN Dance, a program of Minnesota Dance Theatre, gives second and third grade children access to uplifting dance experiences. Since 2015, the program has reached more than 4,000 children in the Twin Cities metro area, offering each of them access to dance performance and training opportunities. Through its multi-phase curriculum, the program is committed to providing opportunities for ongoing engagement with dance and cultivating a lasting appreciation for the arts.

Now entering its fifth year, CAN Dance is growing rapidly. Last summer, the CAN Dance summer program more than doubled in size with more than forty children in attendance. With your support, we can sustain this growth, providing the necessary resources to make sure that all of the participating children have enriching dance experiences that will make a positive difference in their lives. 

Every year, MDT brings as many as 1,500 second and third grade children to see a matinee performance of Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy at the State Theatre. The schools selected to participate are all Title 1 schools, thereby reaching the most economically disadvantaged youth in the area. Admission and transportation are covered by MDT, and those attending the performance have their eyes opened to a world of dance they might not have otherwise known.

The program continues with in-school workshops with MDT teachers, a tuition-free summer program, and year-round scholarship opportunities in the MDT school – all cost-free to the students. The children who come to MDT through the CAN Dance program receive dance training that gives them joyful discipline, empowering confidence, and a supportive community. 

This year, Friends of MDT is offering a $2,500 challenge grant. Please help us reach the $2,500 mark so that we can meet this challenge. Every contribution takes us one step closer and helps us bring enriching dance experiences to those children who wouldn't otherwise have access. 

Update 11/12/19:

On behalf of all of us at MDT, thanks to everyone who has given so far to support CAN Dance. 

We now have a stretch goal of an additional $1,000 to help fund this vital MDT program, CAN Dance.

Here's what your gift makes possible:

• $25 covers the cost of lunch and snacks for one CAN Dance summer program student.
• $50 covers the cost of dance attire for one CAN Dance summer program student.
• $100 covers the cost of three hours of a teacher’s salary. 
• $250 covers the cost of admission for 25 children to the Nutcracker Fantasy CAN Dance matinee.
• $500 covers the cost of tuition for one child enrolled in the MDT Young Children’s Division on scholarship through the CAN Dance program.
• $1,000 covers the cost of one week of bus transportation for CAN Dance summer program.

As an added incentive, when you give we'll enter your name in a drawing to win four tickets and a special backstage tour for the Nutcracker Fantasy performance of your choice. Performances are December 13-23, 2019 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.

MDT alumna Kaitlyn Gilliland serves as CAN Dance Program Director. For more information about the program, email Kaitlyn at kaitlyn.gilliland@mndance.org.