Movement That Inspires Communities
February 2019
In 2009, Krannert Center and staff from Dance at Illinois began offering a monthly Dance for People with Parkinson’s program—a free series of dance-based classes inspired by the Center’s long-time, artistic collaborators Mark Morris Dance Group. This program is aimed at improving participants’ balance, flexibility, and strength while also building a community of people with Parkinson’s and their supporters. In the nearly 10 years since its inception, there have been so many dance and music-filled moments of inspiring impact through these classes—moments of discovery, of self-pride, of respite, and even of loss—and they’ve all been experienced together in a safe and welcoming space where the belief that everyone deserves to have access to the life-affirming power of the arts is upheld each day.
One of the goals of the Krannert Center 50th-Anniversary Access for All Challenge is to support engagement programs like Dance for People with Parkinson’s and many others, which are offered free of charge to the public. During this two-season initiative, every dollar given will be matched by generous sponsors. Part of Krannert Center’s mission is to share the transformative potential of the arts, and any contribution (no matter the size) makes a difference in furthering this purpose. Individuals, organizations, and businesses can lend their support now at KrannertCenter.com/Give. Gifts to this special matching challenge do not qualify for membership benefits. For information on these benefits or to help sponsor the matching portion of the challenge, please contact development [at] krannertcenter.illinois.edu (subject: Access%20for%20All) or 217.333.6700.