History
ARENA DANCES is an internationally-renowned contemporary dance company founded in 1995 by artistic director and choreographer Mathew Janczewski in Minneapolis. Over the past 28+ years, Janczewski has created over 35 works for ARENA performed nationally and internationally to critical acclaim. ARENA has toured extensively throughout the US including presentations at the Skirball Theater of NYU, City Center, and the Joyce SoHo in New York, The Repertory Project of Cleveland, and the SCUBA network in Philadelphia among others. Internationally, the company has twice been presented by Open Look International Summer Dance Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia as well as the 3rd TOUCH Festival in Arkanghelsk, Russia, and the L1 Dance Festival in Budapest, Hungary.
ARENA has been commissioned by numerous colleges and arts institutions such as The Walker Art Center, and has been presented at top Twin Cities venues such as The Cowles Center, The Southern Theater, American Swedish Institute, MN Arboretum, Franconia Sculpture Park, Union Depot and The Fitzgerald Theater. Janczewski’s work has been recognized for excellence with a Sage Award for “Outstanding Performance”, as Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”, and received support from The Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, McKnight Foundation, Target Foundation, Tri-M Foundation, Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, The Spanish Embassy of American Universities, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Janczewski’s inquisitive, immersive and heartfelt approach to contemporary dance reaches beyond the surface and holds the viewer in its embrace. With more than two decades of experience as a choreographer, Mathew has cultivated a highly diverse and mesmerizing style of movement. Increasingly, his performances explore pressing social issues, providing a platform for dialogue and action.
Strategic Priorities
ARENA DANCES’ current focus is organizational growth, from board size and budget to outreach and education programs. Our current phase of this strategic plan involves the commencement of The Arena, a one-studio lease in the LynLake community. We have a home for ARENA’s rehearsals now and space to provide to other artists while also introducing diverse class programming at The Arena. Eventually opening our own center will require growth in the organization in the areas mentioned above – deepening our financial resources, community partnerships and overall presence in the Twin Cities area.
Annual Budget: $175,000 – Earned Income, Individual Contributions, Government Grants or Contracts
Skills
ARENA DANCES is seeking board members with skills in the following areas:
- Marketing
- Facilities and Real Estate
- Financial Management
- Fundraising
- Strategic and Business Planning
Information
- Number of members currently: 6
- Meeting time and frequency: 4 meetings annually
- Meeting location: Minneapolis
- Does nonprofit carry liability insurance? No
Expectations
- Time Expectation: Up to 6 hours/month
- Financial Contribution Required: Yes, at a level meaningful to the board member.
- Service on Committee Required: Yes
- Committees: Event/Benefit Fundraising, Finance, Donor Cultivation/Engagement, Education
- Length of Term: 2 Years
- Renewable: Yes