Since its founding, AMP has awarded over 125 need-based dance scholarships to 3-18 year old youth whose families face
financial and/or medical hardships. We work closely with United Way, Girls inc., Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics and
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation to identify low-income and at-risk youth who would benefit from our Scholarship Program.
By collaborating with local dance organizations, including Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Dance Arts Carpinteria, Gustafson
Dance, Santa Barbara Dance Alliance, and Class Act Dance, AMP ensures its Scholarship Program is reaching a broad
professional dance community. Scholarship recipients receive dance training, a personal mentor, nutrition counseling, and
opportunities to participate in local cultural events. We believe dance and the arts are creative forces that build confidence
and promote health and well being. To be considered for an AMP Scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship application, click HERE.
AMP and Santa Barbara Dance Arts have collaborated to create a training ground for future dance educators. The
Mentorship Program creates a professional foundation to train, shape, and mentor the next generation of dance instructors
and choreographers in our community and beyond.
We believe the foundation of a good teacher is accountability, experience, training, communication, and charisma. By
working closely with professional dance teachers, choreographers, and community leaders, students learn how to conduct
themselves in the professional dance and non-profit art environments. We require that all student teachers-in-training
are dancing at pre-approved dance institutions in our community. Ultimately, students graduate from this program by
becoming dance teachers and mentors themselves in our local community. We also help our graduates identify dance
programs and colleges around the country so they can continue their formal education, with recent alumni attending
Stanford University, Brown University and Cal Arts. Students going through the Mentorship Program may receive
Community Service (for their high schools). To be considered for the Mentorship Program, please fill out the Community
Service application, click HERE.
AMP’s Rent Subsidy Program enables low-income and emerging arts groups to afford to rent studio space for their
workshops, classes and performances. AMP subsidizes over 50 hours per week of studio space to artists at Santa
Barbara Dance Arts. Over 40 local arts and youth groups, including over 1,100 people, benefited from the Rent Subsidy
Program over the past year. Many local musicians, actors, dancers, and visual artists use our Rent Subsidy Program to
secure long-term, weekly rental space at Santa Barbara Dance Arts and in turn, have the opportunity to strengthen and
expand their own arts programs.
While market rates are $35 per hour, AMP Rent Subsidy Program offers a sliding scale to low-income artists so that
they can have studio space available to them regardless of their income. Rent Subsidies can be used to rent studios or
exhibition space at Santa Barbara Dance Arts and Dance Arts Carpinteria. Santa Barbara Dance Arts runs and operates
four dance studios, an art gallery and a music studio. (A-900 sq feet, B-917 sq feet, C-1235 sq feet D- 700 Sq feet). The
studios are zoned for assembly and music, and even have the unique advantage of 30’ ceilings with structural beams
to support aerial artists. Studios A and B can be combined into one large space by opening a retractable wall, hosting
audiences and performances with up to 100 people.
Potential renters should fill out our Rent Subsidy application, which will be reviewed by the Rent Subsidy Committee.
Once the committee sets the rate, the Rent Subsidy Coordinator sets up a contract and agreement with the artist. For the
Rent Subsidy application, please click HERE.
AMP runs 5 Student Dance Companies, providing pre-professional experience for serious dancers ages 9-20 years old. Students
must participate in a rigorous month-long audition process (applications, dancing, oral/written interviews) to enter one of five dance
companies (Impact, Vibe, Impulse, Axis and Axis Pro) which combined include 40 dancers. Company dancers are trained in ballet
and jazz technique, choreography, and have opportunities to attend Master Classes, travel to conventions, and perform at local
events.
Through AMP’s partnership with Santa Barbara Dance Arts, company dancers receive their formal dance training through
a broad and rigorous curriculum offered by Dance Arts faculty. Company members are also trained in mentorship and
philanthropy. Dancers serve as dance company captains, big sisters to younger dancers, and teaching assistants.
Company dancers also learn about the business of running and sustaining dance programs at a local level. Our
companies have their own annual show at Center Stage Theatre called Configuration in which the company members
perform their repertory and are taught to choreograph and assist in production, lighting, and costuming. Year after year,
Company members insist this is their favorite weekend of the year and in 2010 we sold out 4 shows! Collaborating with
Santa Barbara Dance Arts has allowed AMP to host its second annual Student Choreography Showcase directly in a
dance studio. This show was completely directed and produced by the Axis and Axis Pro Dance Companies with the
assistance of the other three companies. These young philanthropists raised over $5000 for the Arts Mentorship Program
scholarship and company programs.
AMP’s Student Dance Companies also have unique opportunities to perform and travel. The dancers attend The PULSE
Convention in Las Vegas with So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew professionals. In 2010,
Axis Dance Company received the great honor of being the Faculty Favorite and was invited to perform in NYC and LA.
The Dance Companies also perform at local events including: SBCC Football Game Halftime, UCSB Gaucho Basketball
Halftime, The Lemon Festival, Earth Day, MUS Carnival, Crane School, SB International Film Festival, Dance Alliance
Teen Choreographers Showcase, and the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s BASSH, and Santa Barbara Dance Day.
For Student Dance Company requirements, application, calendars, and information, please click on the links.
AMP is an authorized provider of Community Service with local schools. If your child wants to get involved with the Arts
and give back to the community with the Arts Mentorship Program, fill out the Community Service application, please click HERE
AMP collaborates with local arts, educational and community organizations, including Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Santa
Barbara Dance Alliance, Everybody Dance Now, Girls Inc, United Way, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Teddy Bear
Cancer Foundation, and more. To learn more about AMP’s collaborations or to build a partnership with AMP, please
contact us by email.
| |
 |
| |
Arts Mentorship Program. (805) 966-5299. info@ampsb.org
1 n. calle cesar chavez ste 100. santa barbara, ca 93103 |
|
