We are an arts service organization run by dancers, for dancers.
Agora Artists is a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on providing programming and resources that contribute to a supportive ecosystem for dance in DFW.
Through workshops, forums, and other creative assets Agora Artists aims to help individual dancers maintain an active and sustainable creative life.
our story
Dallas-based dance artists Avery-Jai Andrews and Lauren Kravitz formed Agora Artists in late 2019 after hosting a successful local dance festival titled Mini Movement Fest. The pair felt the need for support for independent dance artists in the field, and more specifically, noticed the lack of varied representation and value of ALAANA voices throughout the Dallas dance community. Committed to creating a sustainable model for dancers in Dallas, Agora Artists began hosting weekly professional-level contemporary classes on Friday mornings that are open to the public. Agora Artists also hosted a dance community forum and Choreographic Workshop which invited a group of local dance makers to share work and receive feedback on their current choreographic endeavors.
The Choreographic Workshop and all other programming was postponed in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused closures throughout Dallas. At that time, Agora Artists paused all programming and took some time to reflect on what the organization and the community needed. This process ultimately led to Agora Artists’ project, “Tether”, a live dance performance held in the parking lot of Arts Mission Oak Cliff. “Tether” provided an opportunity for paid work to a group of local artists and offered a COVID-safe solution to viewing live art. After the success of this event, Agora Artists was confident in its ability to provide safe programming for artists and audiences.
Agora Artists resumed its programming in late 2020 and is committed to offering relevant and dynamic opportunities to Dallas dancers.
Photography by Corey Haynes
What We Believe
We are a community of artists that nurtures the individual.
When the individual is nurtured, creativity is abundant and the community grows stronger.
People have the incredible power to build community that exists anywhere & everywhere all at once.
Our community provides an unwavering container for art and creativity — a metaphorical place that exists when we come together.
Agora is the people.