A Letter from Founder Emily Running

As the founder and Vision Director throughout the lifespan of Dance Wire, my story has been inextricably intertwined with the organization's, making the decision to move on deeply personal.

I started Dance Wire in 2013 when my career as a performer, choreographer, and educator got knocked off course by a major hip surgery. At that point, I thought I was destined to a desk job so set out to create one that I actually wanted to work at. Initially, my focus was on the pain points experienced by the dance community, because that’s what I knew. As I learned and experienced more from a new perspective, I became increasingly aware of the greater, more systemic challenges faced by the field.

Following the pandemic, I led a national group of service org leaders with a birds-eye view of their communities through a methodical exploration of the national and local dance landscapes, examining how things were shifting in real time. We mapped the different stages of a dancer’s career, identified pain points at each stage, and assessed the components of a healthy dance ecosystem. We shared insights from our respective cities, discussing what worked, what didn’t, and where systemic cracks were forming or already existed. We all felt a deep concern about the future of funding channels in the dance world and I started dreaming about how to build better systems of support for those within the dance field.

While facilitating this national group, I was simultaneously building Dance Wire's coaching program PROPEL. Through this program I worked on a personal level with early to mid-career artists striving to build their careers, companies, and artistic identities.

Both of these activities shaped my worldview profoundly and ignited a new spark within me.

Additionally, although I have never stopped dancing, I felt a strong pull to meaningfully reconnect with what I offer as a creative and continued to wonder where that part of me fit in with what I was building through Dance Wire.

In the fall of 2024 it became clear that all of this evolution and reflection was leading me towards something new. The nonprofit structure was too limiting, the landscape had changed, and my skillsets would be put to better use in a different format.

My new endeavor Dance at the Intersection is where I am going next. It has three areas of focus:

• Direct work with dance artists

• Partnering/consulting with entities interested in innovating new systems to support and fund dance

• Working on creative projects

I’m excited about what’s ahead and I believe that the work I am passionate about will have greater impact when it has the freedom to be more creative and aligned with my strengths.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of Dance Wire's story!

Emily Running