Meet the Pop-Up Grants Recipients for July and August
The 2023 Pop-Up Grants continue celebrating engaging events that shared history, poignant tales, and unforgettable experiences. These Pop-Up Grants recipients produced compelling art that delighted audiences everywhere.
If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future (African American Museum) Photo by Jonathan Zizzo courtesy of D Magazine
African American Museum
If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future
LEARN MORE ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF DALLAS
Unrestricted Grant: $2500 Pop-Up Grant
If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future’ Selections of Contemporary South African Art from the Nando’s Art Collection debuts in African American Museum, Dallas Fair Park, during a transformative time in the cultural district. The exhibition brings together paintings, works on paper, sculptures, and photography as visual documentation of forgotten images and histories. These works were all created in South Africa between 1948 and 2020, and while they are bound by a specific time and place, they chronicle universal issues that touch us all: love, loss, and hope for a better future.
With over 25,000 artworks in the Nando’s Art Collection for the Curator Laurie Ann to choose from, this exhibition underscores portraiture, cityscapes, landscapes, and colorful abstractions. The exhibition is made possible by the beloved restaurant group Nando’s, one of the world’s largest collectors of contemporary Southern African art.
Keep in touch with the African American Museum of Dallas on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
The Power of Collision (The Dash Ensemble) Photo by Ken Osadon
AT&T Performing Arts Center
The Dash Ensemble presents The Power of Collision
LEARN MORE ABOUT AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Unrestricted Grant: $2,500 Pop-Up Grant
Artist Bonus Funds: $5,000 Artist Bonus Funding
The internationally acclaimed Gregory Dolbashian and The DASH Ensemble captivated their audience with The Power of Collision. This groundbreaking contemporary dance and visual-magic hybrid performance delivered a spellbinding experience, pushing the limits of artistic expression.
Drawing inspiration from the interplay between opposing forces, The Power of Collision delved into the intricate dynamics of human relationships, emotions, and the universal theme of transformation. Audiences were transported into a world where movement and magic converge, as the dancers’ bodies stretched the boundaries of physicality, merging with stunning visual effects. The Dash Ensemble’s exceptional technique, precision, and expressive storytelling, combined with Dolbashian’s visionary choreography and innovative use of illusion, created an unparalleled sensory experience. Patrons felt that the performance was VERY moving, and the dancing was incredible as was the music. The performers were very physical, and exuded pure magic throughout the show. Learn more about The DASH Ensemble by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Elevator Project is a series of performances by Dallas-based arts groups, presented on the AT&T Performing Arts Center campus. The series provides performance space in the Dallas Arts District to local talent, while giving audiences exposure to the vibrant arts scene around them. Drawing from all genres of performing arts, the projects are chosen through an annual submission process and curated by an independent panel of arts professionals. The Elevator Project was created in 2014 by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and is presented with generous support from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
There is no better place to explore and experience live performing arts than the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. On its vibrant 10-acre downtown campus, the nonprofit Center operates three of the nation’s finest performance venues: the Winspear Opera House (the best stage for Broadway in North Texas), Wyly Theatre, Strauss Square and the welcoming public green space, Sammons Park. Keep in touch with AT&T Performing Arts Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
JAZZ SOUL FUNK CLASSICS (B. Moore Dance) Photo by The Dancing Image-Sharen Bradford
AT&T Performing Arts Center
B. Moore Dance presents Jazz-Soul-Funk- Classics
LEARN MORE ABOUT AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Unrestricted Grant: $2500 Pop-Up Grant
Artist Bonus Funds: $5,000 Artist Bonus Funding
B. Moore Dance is a Contemporary Modern Dance Company and is in its 5th Season. As a part of AT&T Performing Arts Center-The Elevator Project, the company presented a classic night of sultry jazz, soulful harmony, and the funkiest funk, at the Wyly Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Artistic Director, Bridget L. Moore, B. MOORE DANCE created a festive delight for the soul to remember, the music accompaniment by The Kwinton Gray Project, Aden Ambivert Sista, Damon K. Clark, Mirek.e.l, Rueben Lael, and poet, B. Goodluv. Patrons felt that every component of the show from the musicians and dancers mentioned above to the lighting and the strategically placed mirrors on the stage were of high artistic quality. The show incorporated a wide variety of local talent and could not help but appeal to a broad audience – both in terms of generation and ethnicity.
The Elevator Project is a series of performances by Dallas-based arts groups, presented on the AT&T Performing Arts Center campus. The series provides performance space in the Dallas Arts District to local talent, while giving audiences exposure to the vibrant arts scene around them. Drawing from all genres of performing arts, the projects are chosen through an annual submission process and curated by an independent panel of arts professionals. The Elevator Project was created in 2014 by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and is presented with generous support from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
There is no better place to explore and experience live performing arts than the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. On its vibrant 10-acre downtown campus, the nonprofit Center operates three of the nation’s finest performance venues: the Winspear Opera House (the best stage for Broadway in North Texas), Wyly Theatre, Strauss Square and the welcoming public green space, Sammons Park. Keep in touch with AT&T Performing Arts Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
AS YOU LIKE IT (Fair Assembly) Photos by Ben Torres
Fair Assembly
As You Like It
LEARN MORE ABOUT FAIR ASSEMBLY
Unrestricted Grant: $2,500 Pop-Up Grant
Artist Bonus Funds: $5,000 Artist Bonus Funding
“All the world’s a stage,” and when at court, Celia and Rosalind know their parts. But when the two young cousins are unexpectedly thrust into exile in the Forest of Arden, the disguises they adopt allow the women to write roles of their own. Far from the death sentence intended by the usurping Duke Frederick, banishment into the Forest of Arden becomes an opportunity for rebirth — a place for the exiled to discover themselves, find (and test) true love, and ultimately seek redemption. Filled with a memorable cast of characters and more music than anything else in Shakespeare’s canon, As You Like It is a joyous adventure for all those daring enough to venture into the forest. Audiences felt the vibrant performances, the perfect sound of the music and the beautifully created costume designs showcased the powerful talents of all Fair Assembly artists involved in this production. Fair Assembly also showed true accessibility and inclusivity by providing pre-show “touch tours” for patrons with visual impairments.
Fair Assembly is an actor-driven theatre company based in Dallas, Texas. Founded by SMU grads Emily Ernst, Christopher Rutherford, and Joshua Peugh, we are heavily influenced by the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of Lecoq training and Shakespeare’s own company. All productions feature live sound and original music and are directed as a team. Keep in touch with Fair Assembly on Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo.
SPRING AWAKENING (The Watering Hole Collective) Photo by Mac Welch
The Watering Hole Collective
Spring Awakening LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WATERING HOLE COLLECTIVE
Unrestricted Grant: $2,500 Pop-Up Grant
Artist Bonus Funds: $5,000 Artist Bonus Funding
The Watering Hole Collective presented their inaugural production, the Tony Award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Based on the groundbreaking and controversial 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind, the musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of adolescent sexuality set to a contemporary pop-rock score. Reimagining the 2006 hit for 2023, the Watering Hole Collective invites audiences to dive into the deeper messages of sexual awakening, youthful rebellion, and self-discovery present in this beautiful piece.
The Watering Hole Collective is an artist collective with the mission to ignite community conversations and create meaningful community impact through storytelling. We aim to be a “watering hole” for artists and the non-artist community to come together through art. Our mission with Spring Awakening was to use a professional production as a tool to teach young students and parents about the importance of sex education and mental health.
Keep in touch with Watering Hole Collective on Facebook and Instagram.
WHAT’S A POP-UP GRANT?
We started our Pop-Up Grant program to shine a light on arts organizations creating programming that demonstrates exceptional quality, innovation, and accessibility safely, without skimping on the creative impact.
HOW DO YOU PICK THE RECIPIENTS?
Grant recipients are meticulously selected via a nomination process that incorporates 70+ anonymous volunteers. Nominations are made each month and a selection committee meets afterward to determine grantees based on our criteria above.
To learn more about Pop-Up Grants, please click here.
HEADER PHOTO: The Power of Collision (The Dash Ensemble)
Photo by Ken Osadon
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