Resources for Supporting the Movement for Black Lives

 

As a majority white institution we’ve benefited and continue to benefit from the structures created by white supremacy. We commit to creating space for meaningful conversations about undoing racism with our staff and our community members, and embedding our core value of access into everything that we do. We must do the important work of educating ourselves, being accountable, and keeping an open dialogue about the systemic racism in the dance community and beyond.

We have taken first steps to create and maintain an open forum within our organization for undoing racism and have made room for some challenging but important conversations. We will prioritize this work and continue to invest in it. We are building a plan of action — accountable action, beyond these words. There will be workshops, trainings, and experts to guide change at all levels of the organization.

As we look at ways we can support the Black community beyond our organization, we have compiled a short list of resources that includes local and national organizations doing important advocacy and activist work to undo racism. Additionally, we want to do our part to amplify Black voices within our own dance and arts community. If you’re looking for organizations to support, please consider the groups listed below.

Juneteenth Events 2021

Last year was the first time the Mark Morris Dance Group began to officially celebrate Juneteenth by making it a holiday at the Mark Morris Dance Center. This is just one of the steps we’ve taken in our continuous work and education toward racial justice and the elimination of racism in our organization.

Below is a list of both virtual and local arts Juneteenth events if you’re looking for ways to celebrate. Happy Juneteenth!

Local Events:

  • Juneteenth Celebration: (Re)Vision by 651 Arts
    • When: June 18th and June 19th @8pm EST
    • Price: FREE
    • Location: The Plaza at 300 Ashland [85 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217]
    • Description: Screening of four mixed medium films about the Black Experience/Perspective [“WATA,” “Memoirs of a…Unicorn: BLUEPRINT,” “(RE)current Unrest,” “Cyborg Heaven”]
      •  *For mature audiences
  • Soul of BK: Juneteenth by MOCADA Museum
    • When: June 19th @10am-8pm EST
    • Price: FREE
    • Location: MOCADA Museum [80 Hanson Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217]
    • Description: Celebration with art, music, dance, kids tables, workshops, and more
  • Honoring Juneteenth by Brooklyn Museum
    • When: June 19th @11am and 6-8pm EST
    • Price: FREE
    • Location: Brooklyn Museum Plaza [200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238]
    • Description: Outdoor celebration with music and local speakers
      • *Tickets must be reserved in advance
  • Juneteenth Family Day by The Rose Garden Events 
    • When: June 19th @12pm-5pm EST
    • Price: FREE, ($10 for advanced Food Tickets)
    • Location: Pelham Bay Park Stadium Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465
    • Description: Juneteenth celebration with food, live performances, yoga & zumba, and more!
      • *Food tickets must be purchased in advance
  • Juneteenth Art Show by We Roam Freely
    • When: June 19th @1pm-7pm EST
    • Price: $10
    • Location: 323 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
    • Description: One day pop-up visual and performing art show
  • “Into The Light” Opening by Art in the Atrium
    • When: June 19th @3pm-7pm EST
    • Price: FREE
    • Location: (In-Person Event) 16 Cattano Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 OR (Virtual Event) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89061439323 
    • Description: Opening of “Into the Light” Exhibition
      • *You can view the exhibit virtually here

Virtual Events

Advocacy organizations

The Movement for Black Lives

Race Forward

Color of Change

International Association of Blacks in Dance

The Okra Project

 

Dance and arts organizations

These are Black-led or Black-founded organizations in our community.

 

Reading List

Books and articles about Recognizing Systemic Racism in Dance by Alicia Mullikin

Source: SeattleDances

 

Resources for racial equity training

 

Social media accounts that support Black artists and dancers

 

Resources for rest and recuperation

 

We want to hear from you

As we commit to educating ourselves and taking action, we equally commit to an open dialogue with our community. If you have ideas on how we can improve or more resources we can add, please let us know.
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The mission of the Mark Morris Dance Group is to develop, promote, and sustain dance, music, and opera productions by Mark Morris and to serve as a cultural resource to engage and enrich the community. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing work on inclusion, equity, and diversity to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.

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MMDG is a member of Dance/USA and the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance.

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