Pathways to Dance & Creative Industry Success

Access to tech and creative industry employment

South Bay County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) West LA Central LA City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) South LA San Fernando Valley San Gabriel Valley Long Beach

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Although Los Angeles is home to a creative hub, specifically in commercial and performing arts underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, face significant barriers to success in the creative industry. According to a report by Dance/USA in 2023, dancers from marginalized backgrounds often lack access to high-quality training, professional networks, and opportunities in commercial dance. Economic disparities, along with insufficient funding for arts education, exacerbate this issue, leaving these communities without the resources needed to build sustainable careers. Moreover, the underrepresentation of BIPOC in professional dance opportunities results in fewer high-profile gigs, tours, and brand partnerships, which reduces their access to the financial opportunities that drive long-term success in the industry. This systemic challenge highlights the need for programs that provide equitable access to training, mentorship, and professional development.

To address the barriers underrepresented groups face in the creative dance industry, we’ve developed two key programs: the Instructor Training Program and the MAD Program.
Instructor Training Program: This program consists of two 4-month cycles annually, with a minimum of 20 hours of training per month. Focused on training, coaching, community engagement, and internships, it is led by seasoned professionals with over 10 years of experience in commercial dance. This program aims to address the shortage of trained instructors in the local area. Participants will receive personalized mentorship and industry best practices, and upon completion, they will earn certification, opening doors to stable employment in reputable organizations.
MAD Program (Mentorship and Development): This 4-month program provides at least 20 hours of training per month, offering advanced dance training and mentorship from industry professionals. The program includes choreography, audition techniques, branding, and entertainment law (specific to dancers), providing participants the skills and knowledge needed to transition from amateur to professional.
Both programs will culminate in auditions, performances, and casting events, where dancers can secure opportunities with agencies, studios, and brands. These initiatives aim to break down barriers, giving underrepresented individuals the skills, resources, and network to succeed in the competitive creative dance industry.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will see a shift toward more equitable access to high-level dance training and creative opportunities, particularly in underrepresented communities. By bringing Hollywood-level training to Inglewood, we aim to provide underserved students in low-income areas with the tools to develop sustainable careers. Our program will serve as a safe space where marginalized groups—women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals—can build careers in the dance and creative industries. We will create a network of professionals, opening doors to more job opportunities and higher revenue for these communities. As a result, more brands and agencies will recognize our local talent, creating new pathways for work and collaborations. Our success will make the LA dance and creative scenes more inclusive, showing that high-level training and opportunities can thrive in underserved areas, benefiting the broader creative economy.