Conference Registration
is now open!

June 5-8, 2025
Harvard Square, Cambridge MA

Dance for World Community. . . proposes that dance is particularly well suited to effective advocacy and activism.

Concern about climate change and its disproportionate impact on under-resourced or otherwise disadvantaged communities continues to grow. After decades of persistent advocacy and activism to advance social and environmental justice, recent destabilizing orders from top US government officials are brazenly countermanding advances in climate science, public health, education, diversity, inclusion, equity and other areas. It is no wonder why, in today’s environment, independent artists and arts organizations are looking to expand their role as advocates and activists, to support creative and rational solutions to the critical global issues that ultimately affect us all.

From the muralist who mobilizes an entire community to paint uplifting images in a depressed urban space, to the composer who writes a symphony to evince the destruction that humanity is inflicting on the planet’s ecological systems, artists of all media and forms continue to respond to the urgencies of our age.

Dance for World Community, initiated in 2009 by a ballet organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts, proposes that dance is particularly well suited to effective advocacy and activism. Inherently social, dance is universally understandable, has great potential to bring diverse people together across cultural divides and can quickly build trust and community cohesion.

Powerful as it is, dance is one of the most under-resourced sectors in America and is underrepresented in many institutional settings. In spite of the steady increases in the number of training and performance centers, established schools and companies are notoriously insular and inward-looking. The sector lacks the inclusive, unified voice it needs to respond to the challenges that now all the arts and other industries are facing in 2025.

How will we as dancers — performers, instructors, choreographers, administrators, scholars, independent dance artists and aficionados — respond to the critical social and environmental crises that can no longer be ignored by any of us?

In this conference, we will examine different initiatives and models, exchange ideas and begin to build the necessary networks to strengthen our efforts to make a difference. Through this shared process, we will rouse the advocate and activist in each of us. 

Conference Schedule

4:30 – 7:00PM
José Mateo Ballet Theatre, 400 Harvard St, Cambridge MA

Registration
Welcome & Orientation
Opening Reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks

Welcome by Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons and DWC Director José Mateo

8:00AM – 6:00PM
The Charles Hotel and Industrious, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge MA

Continental Breakfast
Panel: The Artist as Creative Advocate and/or Community Activist
Seminar 1: Responding to the Endangerment of Social and Environmental Justice Systems
Round 1 of Discussion Groups

Break for Lunch

Seminar 2: The Logistics of Engaging and Coordinating Key Community Partners
Round 2 of Discussion Groups
Full Group Convenes: Diverse Scenes, Diverse Views

12:00 – 6:00PM
José Mateo Ballet Theatre / Mass Ave in between Putnam Ave & St, Cambridge MA

15th Annual Dance for World Community Festival

Convene at designated Conference Attendees Tent and take part in the Festival
Lunch vouchers for festival food vendors provided

10:00AM – 12:00PM
The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge MA

Closing Brunch

Keynote Speaker: Sustaining a Global Network of Dance Advocates and Activist


Fee | $215

Register before April 30 for special early bird pricing: $165

Includes admission to Opening Reception, Panel, Seminars, Roundtables

Plus Friday Continental Breakfast, Saturday Lunch Vouchers, and Sunday Brunch


Meet Our Conference Speakers & Participants

To Be Announced Soon!


Download Brochure


Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.


Thanks to our Conference Partners