Creative Dance Center

Mission

Connecting body and mind to transform lives through dance. The Creative Dance Center is a nonprofit organization providing dance education for people of all ages and abilities and performance opportunities for youth. We envision a joyful and collaborative community that knows how to move and how to move the world.

Who We Are & What We Do

Founded in 1981 by renowned dance educator and author Anne Green Gilbert, the Creative Dance Center (CDC) nurtures self-expression, creativity, and learning through meaningful and joyful dance experiences. 

Our teaching methodology, Brain-Compatible Dance Education, promotes inclusion and diversity; we welcome all ages, sizes, personal and cultural identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
Financial Aid is available to make programming accessible and available to all.

PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: 

Kaleidoscope Dance Company
CDC's resident modern dance group, Kaleidoscope, is made up of youth ages 7-17. Your gift amplifies the voices of youth and helps bring Kaleidoscope to an underserved school making dance and art accessible to hundreds of children!

Mercy Housing Northwest
Creative dance classes for youth in permanent supportive housing at Mercy's Gardner House in south Seattle since August 2020. Programming expanded in January 2022 to include free classes for youth at Mercy Magnuson Place. In 2023 we are bringing dance to students in grades K-5 at Mercy's Cedar Crossing location.  

MARY'S PLACE
Creative Dance Center began sharing dance with Mary's Place guests in 2016. This year a CDC teaching artist is bringing weekly dance to children and families in four Mary's Place locations as part of their Kids Clubs programming which aims to reduce trauma and provide a safe place for children.

Adaptive BrainDance & Inclusive Classes
For youth and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A longtime CDC community member co-teaches Adaptive BrainDance using a letterboard to communicate and facilitates communication with other nonverbal dancers. 

CREATIVE ADVANTAGE
Creative Dance Center is a Community Arts partner with The Creative Advantage, a public-private partnership to reinvest in Seattle’s students and our community’s economic and creative future. During the 2022-2023 school year CDC partnered with Northgate Elementary. Two CDC teaching artists taught dance to grades K-5 and at the end of the residency, Kaleidoscope Dance Company presented an educational and entertaining dance concert (performed by dancers ages 7-13) for the entire Northgate Elementary community.

Professional Learning Opportunities
CDC is a leader in the field of dance education and professional development for dance educators. Your donation means a teacher here in Seattle or as far away as Ecuador will share the transformative power of Brain-Compatible Dance Education with their community. 

Recognition

Donations up to $5,000 will be matched dollar for dollar during GiveBig 2023. Give now and double your donation! Thank you to our Board of Directors and friends of the Creative Dance Center for this generous challenge match.