Making the joy of dance
accessible for all
For over 25 years, Minds In Motion (MIM) has been an integral part of Richmond Ballet’s mission, reaching over 2,000 elementary school students annually in the region and beyond. The program was built on Artistic Director Stoner Winslett’s vision to give back to the community through the memorable experience of movement and dance. With Minds In Motion, Richmond Ballet creates a bridge for students, starting in fourth grade, to gain a greater understanding of themselves through dance, classroom curriculum, community partnerships, and professional performances.
Minds In Motion is the only program of its kind in the Commonwealth. It is comprised of year-long programs, two-week residencies, and summer camps in Richmond, Chesterfield, Independent Schools, statewide in Charlottesville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, and internationally in Israel each year. Our young dancers come together from all walks of life to jump, twist, shake, and stomp, and ultimately, share a transformative, meaningful arts experience together.
Team XL
As part of Minds In Motion, we offer a unique after-school scholarship class for selected students called Team XL. It is an opportunity for students from a variety of schools to dance and perform together. Students in Team XL learn dance technique, more challenging choreography, and an additional dance for the culminating performance in the spring.
Ambassadors
Through our audition-based Ambassador program, former Minds In Motion students are eligible to receive scholarships at the School of Richmond Ballet. This opportunity allows them to continue their dance training and perform as representatives of the Minds In Motion program at community events.
Connecting Minds In Motion to your Classroom
Minds In Motion offers all fourth or fifth graders at participating schools weekly dance classes with professional teaching artists and musicians. A portion of the year is spent teaching students basic dance curriculum, followed by choreography for the culminating performance. Students work toward the performance as a long-term goal, an experience that builds confidence, perseverance, and creativity. Each year, Minds In Motion alternates between a content- or story-based theme.
Minds In Motion Yearlong program made possible by:
With additional support from:
Bank of America, Margarete and Siegfried Eckhaus Charitable Trust, Emily S. and Coleman A. Hunter Charitable Trust, Hamilton Beach, Memorial Foundation for Children, Universal Leaf Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Wells Fargo & Company, Reinhart Foundation Performing Arts Endowment, Rea Charitable Trust, The Hearst Foundation, Inc., Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Minds In Motion Residencies made possible by:
The Portsmouth Museum & Fine Arts Commission, City of Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, The Portsmouth Service League, Tidewater Children’s Foundation, Queen of Virginia Skill & Entertainment, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Reinhart Foundation Performing Arts Endowment
Minds In Motion Israel made possible by:
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Reinhart Foundation Performing Arts Endowment
With additional support from:
Rabbi Gary S. Creditor, May and Charlie Fox, Raina Grosswald, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, The Morton Family Fund of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, Bruce Perretz, Annie and Art Sandler, Abbie W. Moore, The Arts and Cultural Funding Consortium: City of Richmond, Hanover County and Henrico County and the Virginia Commission for the Arts
Many thanks to our Individual Supporters:
Anonymous, Mary and Michael Barton, Mrs. Lewis T. Booker, Jessica Bowman, Nancy and Byron Chafin, Diana and Robert Donnelly, Gloria Hintz, Susan S. Jones, Twyla Kitts, Theresa Klein, Chad Kochel, Hannah Neighbors, Ms. Judith O’Brien, Tony and Ginger Pelling, Rebecca and John Piersol, Carol and Morrie Piersol, Catherine Plotkin, Heidi Rodeffer, Drs. David and Kelsey Salley, Annie and Art Sandler, Cathleen Studdard, Ruth Twiggs, Beth and David Warren
Support Minds In Motion
Your support allows us to provide a valuable opportunity for students. Please consider making an online donation to support our community engagement initiatives.
