MARY GATES LEADERSHIP AWARD

By Michael Helland, Dance major and winner of 2004 Leadership award

“Competitive leadership grants foster civic education by supporting students who are involved in activities or projects that strengthen their commitment to community, challenge them to grow as leaders, and deepen their understandings of their leadership capacities.”

The focus of my Mary Gates Leadership project involved organizing a collaboration between the UW Dance Program, the Pipeline Project, and Pacific Northwest Ballet to secure a venue for dance outreach and education internships as part of Discover Dance, an artist-in-residency program. As a second year participant, I co-facilitated our bi-weekly seminar to deepen the experience of teaching and creating dance in public schools. The program culminated in a community performance event at McCaw Hall, April 25th.
It takes tremendous dedication and skill to survive as a creative artist. The reality of being a dancer in contemporary life can be disheartening. Besides performing and continuing education, a dancer must teach, choreograph, and develop, administrate, and manage their own endeavors. Sustainability in the arts is only possible through diverse involvements and venues for action. My leadership project is the culmination of my most recent efforts in artistic and community development.