Dance Ecosystem

The Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) is continuing exploration of defining the dance ecosystem in our state to amplify the cultural and economic assets dance can bring to communities. This process is led by a team representing higher education, professional dance companies, and statewide organizations with support from Dance USA. Outreach focuses on identifying strengths and needs through relevant topics including (but not limited to):

• Professional Development for teachers, students, and dancers at all levels
• Engaging communities, audiences and build community through dance
• Fostering the creative sector of dance
• Increased accessibility and visibility for diverse cultures, genres, and rural areas in dance
• Explore the current ecosystem of dance education

In an effort to bolster support systems for this creative sector, KAC is developing a strategy based on individual outreach, dance ecosystem asset mapping, site visits, and Dance Forum convenings.

For more information or to contribute input, contact Mina Estrada: [email protected]

EVENTS

RESOURCES

PROJECT PERSONNEL

Project Coordinator

Cheyla Clawson Chandler holds a BFA in Dance and MA in Sociology from Wichita State University (WSU). She has instructed dance at several colleges including the University of Oklahoma and Barton County Community College (BCCC). At BCCC Chandler founded/directed the resident dance company, Barton Dance Theatre, and constructed the first Associate’s Degree of Arts in Dance. Chandler has performed works of various artists including Robert Battle (featured dancer) and Douglas Nielsen. Cheyla was the rehearsal mistress for works such as Alvin Ailey’s Escapades and Darrell Grand Moultrie’s The Zone (WSU).  Her two duets, Anam Chara (2014) and nosuchSymbiosis (2016) performed at The National ACDA Conference at The Kennedy Center. She is a Dorothy Hauck Faculty Fellow in Dance at WSU.  As faculty in the dance program she teaches all levels of modern dance, choreography and various lecture courses.  Cheyla is a Community Fellow with Harvester Arts, Wichita, Kansas.

Project Coordinator

Mina Estrada attempts to commit a substantial amount of time to teaching, creating, and facilitating some kind of dance experience for herself and those who care to join. She received her MFA in Dance at Temple University, and her choreography and workshops, which are rooted in contemporary movement concepts and improvisation, have been commissioned by folks all over the country, but not everywhere. Mina has served as faculty for the dance programs at Temple University, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, and Drexel University. She is often producing shows in collaboration with other artists and contributing dance works in festivals around the country.  While in Philadelphia, she performed in the Live Arts Festival and Collage Festival, received the New Edge Residency at the CEC, worked with notable artists Jumatatu Poe, Silvana Cardell, Shavon Norris, and Leah Stein Dance Company. Transitioning to the South, Mina served as Director of Artist Resources for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and faculty at Louisiana State University. Now, here in Wichita, she has served as the Managing Director of the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, teaches at Friends University and Wichita State University, co-creator of Benevolent Instruction (creative modality and podcast), and is now Managing Director of Harvester Arts. When she is not busy making dance stuffs, Mina continues to be in hot pursuit of great storytellers, generous muses, equilibrium, and more time to pet her cats, smile at her husband, and hang out with Mother Nature.