THE MEANING OF NDW

While National Dance Week© has long been an annual observance in America, it has also been one of the dance community's best kept secrets. The American dance community is today more aware of the annual celebration but bringing it to the forefront of the public's attentions remains a challenge and major goal. With a Mission Statement to "heighten the awareness of Dance and its contributions to our culture", it is of the utmost importance that all dancers become involved and active in the programs and presentations held each year. Only through the concerted efforts of all will we ever reach our goal to bring Dance out of the background of the Arts in our nation. It will be through the dedicated work of all dancers that the American public will come to realize that dance can affect all aspects of life, that dance is a true global language and can impact all facets of living!

We, in America, are at an important juncture in our culture with the recent awakening to the inherent value of the arts and their contribution to society. Emphasis is presently being placed on and recognition given to including the arts more emphatically in our public school curriculums as well as finding additional fundings for the professional groups. With this resurgence of sensibilities comes a prospective boon for the world of dance. Long considered the "step-child of the arts", Dance is presently receiving more recognition as a highly respected art form as well as a therapeutic tool, communication vehicle and even a means of religious expression. Because of this socially renewed vision of the world of dance, National Dance Week is the perfect venue for the dancers, themselves, to educate the masses and, in turn, gain an enlightened and vastly enlarged audience for their performances. The dance therapist is being given the optimum means to express their increasingly valued status in the medical and psychiatric fields. Liturgical dancers are gaining acceptance within religious settings. Ethnic dancers are bringing a recognition to their role in all artistic dance forms. All other associated fields of dance and movement arts have the same doors open to them by a participation in National Dance Week.

When the professional dancer becomes highly visible to the general public, they give proof to the validity of their existence. When an average audience is awakened to the beauty and benefits inherent to our art form, their interest is peaked. The increased use of dance in television commercials and printed consumer advertising has given a surge to a heightened awareness and the American dancers need to capitalize on this latest trend. With the increased presence of Dance in so many venues of our culture, there comes a natural interest and desire to understand better what all is entailed in the life of the dancer. A natural outcome of such questioning is an elevated appreciation for the art. National Dance Week offers to us all the ideal opportunity to step forward and be seen! In presenting ourselves in a united and cooperative fashion, we accomplish far more than we can ever hope to achieve from within our singular arenas of action. Together, we have a strength that can be tangibly felt across the land, and as we make our presence more known, we improve and heighten our standing in our communities with far-reaching benefits for all.

The dancer, teacher, therapist, student......all must join hands if dance is to have its rightful place in the acknowledged and treasured art forms of modern day. Through participation in and interaction with the National Dance Week effort will come improved understanding, appreciation and recognition of that which we love....The Dance.

WHAT CAN NDW DO FOR YOU?

When an individual signs on as a Delegate for NDW, they join an elite group.
Benefits gleaned by such a role are many and varied as follows:

1. Continuing updates, suggestions and guides
2. Website maintenance
3. Internet visibility through website's Delegate Listing
4. Website listing of events through Message Board
5. Referral services for all regional inquiries
6. Support materials such as letterhead, certificate, proclamation and other such masters
7. Toll-free phone support line
8. Website Kickline presence
9. Solicitation of donations and contributions for regional events; direction of contributors to appropriate recipients
10. National recognition through affiliation
11. Press releases and marketing of appropriate news
12. Direction to appropriate fundraising companies
13. Guidance for mounting/producing effective events
14. Discounted NDW merchandise rates
15. Networking with Delegates throughout the USA
16. Continuing campaign to gain Presidential Proclamation
17. Research and contracting for National Spokespersons
18. Networking with businesses, media and professionals on behalf of delegates
19. Maintenance and arranging for NDW Booth displays throughout USA
20. Recruitment and maintenance of NDW Delegates program
21. Management of Mentor program and Academic Project
22. Maintenance of NDW national fundraisers and official NDW merchandise

THE NDW DELEGATE

NATIONAL DANCE WEEK DELEGATES

All persons working on behalf on National Dance Week© come from many walks of life. Having an informed interest in the dance arts is the singular prerequisite. The events and programs may be mounted within any groups and beyond. The events may be mounted for a select audience or general public in keeping with the Mission Statement and ultimate goals of
National Dance Week©.

The varied roles of NDW Delegates are:

STATE DIRECTOR - Oversees all functions and events observing National Dance Week within home state; acts as liason between differing events; receives reports from all Regional Directors within state as well as from Professional Representatives.  Reports directly to the Executive Director of NDW. This is an assigned position and all candidates must have served a minimum of five years as a Regional Director and submitted proof of mounting successful public and/or community-wide events or programs. Annual donation of $25.00 dues entitles the SD to all support materials and contributions gleaned by national level.


REGIONAL DIRECTORS - Mounts varying functions, activities and events held in a public and/or community-wide setting, all of which are open to the general public. RDs may and should act in unison with other RDs and/or PRs in their regions. Acts as liason between varied groups to coordinate efforts for cooperative programs and events. May also act as advisor to Professional Reps and receive reports from them.  Report to State Director or Executive Director in the absence of a SD. Annual donation of $25.00 dues entitles the SD to all support materials and contributions gleaned by national level.


PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES - Individuals who choose to mount their events within a singular setting, close participation in the event to a specific group and who reach out to a limited public on behalf of NDW. May choose to join the community functions sponsored by RDs, as well. Reports to Regional Director in specific area or to State Director or Executive Director in the absence of a RD. Annual donation of $25.00 dues entitles the SD to all support materials provided by national level.

National Dance Week is now accepting all major credit cards for any
donations made to or for any merchandise ordered from NDW
(Click here to make your donation now.)

Click here for a delegate sign-up form.