A National/International Education Initiative

"Using the Arts to Ignite the Mind..." - Arthur Mitchell

Education and community outreach are the cornerstones on which Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) is built. Based on the success of its original mission to provide Harlem youngsters with the opportunity to study and excel in neoclassical dance, DTH has developed a comprehensive educational and community outreach program entitled Dancing Through Barriers®. Dance Theatre of Harlem’s goal is to bring its accumulated expertise and experience to schools and communities around the world. Now international in scope, Dancing Through Barriers® (DTB®) functions as a “traveling university” introducing thousands of young people to the art and discipline of dance.

Utilizing the artists of the Dancing Through Barriers® Ensemble as educators and role models, a variety of activities are presented as individual lectures, classes and workshops or combined for a short- or long-term residency in schools and communities. Programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each school and may include any of the activities listed below. Collaboration with school staff and district administrators in the planning, implementation and evaluation of each activity is an integral part of the Dancing Through Barriers® program.
DTH continues to align its DTB® activities with the New York City, State and National Arts and Physical Education Learning Standards, these activities further equip teachers with new and innovative ways to meet the afore mentioned standards and make cross-curricular connections.

Currently, successful residencies are underway in various Regions of the NYC Dept. of Education. National residencies include Detroit, MI, Washington, DC, Miami, FL. The following describe, but do not limit available DTB® services. These activities can be booked as a onetime service or as a series for a specified time frame. Supplementary materials will be provided if appropriate.