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Art Mon May 11 2015
FlySpace Introduces New Partner
FlySpace, a collaborative group of movement-based dance and arts organizations, has welcomed a new partner into the fold.
Jan Bartoszek of Hedwig Dances, Margi Cole of The Dance COLEctive and Michelle Kranicke of Zephyr Dance formed FlySpace to join together on issues of audience engagement, visibility, marketing, and finance and to start a dialogue on art innovation.
They introduced Joseph Ravens of Defibrillator Performance Art Gallery, a performance art space, as FlySpace's newest member.
"FlySpace is an interesting response to our current cultural situation, and sometimes feeling a bit isolated," said Ravens. "It makes sense for people to come together and build community so that we have a support network."
The three original FlySpace members were excited to welcome Ravens and broaden the work and reach of the group. Bartoszek also discussed the trust necessary to discuss issues and solutions in their industry, noting that Ravens fit the bill.
"There is a trust to be able to talk about ideas, and that doesn't happen overnight," she said.
Flyspace originated in 2013 after a funder gathered together eight women dance company directors, urging them to talk with each other about their professional challenges. From there, Bartoszek, Cole and Kranicke joined forces.
"It sifted down to how we could help each other," Cole said. "It's also about currency and a responsibility to the field...We feel a responsibility to ourselves and our work to be forward thinking."
With the addition of Ravens, the FlySpace members hope to expand their reach to other art forms and perhaps bring into conversation even those outside of art. With changes in art consumption and technology, the four discussed the importance of thinking differently and collaboratively and reworking old models while creating new ones.
"We have to be the ones who make the changes," Kranicke said. "We as the artists are going to forge that pathway."
The group aims to connect artists and community, positioning itself as a think tank that can provide innovative ideas to arts organizations not only in Chicago, but also across the country. As mid-career artists, the FlySpace members have the experience and desire necessary to explore new ideas.
"Just like making a dance, we are adapting to the resources available to us and our needs to inform our choices," Bartoszek said. "The goal is ideas--we want to be a brain trust for the community. For us, dialog equals sustainability."
