YoungArts’ 40th anniversary season continues with the opening of The Choreographers’ Scores: 2020 on December 1, 2021 in the YoungArts Gallery. Conceived and curated by Kristy Edmunds, The Choreographers’ Scores: 2020 is a rare collection of works on paper created by 26 U.S.-based choreographers. Each artist was given the initial prompt to imagine a score as a love letter to the future of dance and to contribute a handmade score to be editioned as a fine art print by The Lapis Press. The resulting editions reveal the unique and intimate explorations of these artists, and insights into their personal perspectives and choreographic ideas, while awaiting their return to the studios and stages. Among the 26 acclaimed choreographers featured in the exhibition are YoungArts award winners Caleb Teicher (2011 YoungArts Winner in Dance), Camille A. Brown (1997 YoungArts Winner in Dance & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) and Shamel Pitts (2003 YoungArts Winner in Dance), and YoungArts guest artists and mentors such as Ann Carlson, Kyle Abraham, Nora Chipaumire, Rosie Herrera and Ralph Lemon.
“The Choreographers’ Scores is an innovative commissioning program featuring 26 choreographers based in the U.S. whose livelihoods were dramatically impacted by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Executive Director Jewel Malone. “With many of the works conceived during quarantine, we’re honored to be presenting The Choreographers’ Scores: 2020 exhibition for the first time to public audiences in the YoungArts Gallery during Miami Art Week. It’s been a joy to partner with Kristy Edmunds and CAP UCLA, a longtime partner, on this initiative, and we’re grateful to the choreographers, printmakers and collaborators who shared so deeply and continue to inspire us all.”
In the spring of 2020, all dance and live performances were halted throughout the United States and much of the world due the coronavirus pandemic. The impact to the livelihoods of dancers and choreographers was immediate, long-lasting and is continuing today. The commissions provided a creative outlet to these choreographers while stages remained dark.
“Kristy Edmunds’ prompt entered my inbox at a time when I was feeling halted and depleted. The Choreographers’ Scores: 2020 project propelled me out of bed and pushed me forward into my purpose: Art,” says Shamel Pitts. “My score was inspired by the times and what kept coming up for me was the intersection between solitude, creativity and solidarity. You can see the beginning of some ideas and choreography prompts on concepts, environmental considerations and legend building. The support of CAP UCLA and YoungArts has allowed me to reclaim the multitude of my artistic practices by nurturing and providing support through their unique platforms and initiatives.”
Limited quantities of the rare prints are available for sale to benefit YoungArts. Interested buyers can purchase at youngarts.org/choreographersscores or contact Angela Goding at agoding@youngarts.org.
The Choreographers’ Scores: 2020 was commissioned and published by UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance in partnership with Pomegranate Arts, Lapis Press and YoungArts.
The exhibition will open to the public at noon on December 1. Opening hours are December 1, 12 – 6 PM; December 2-5, 11 AM – 6 PM; and after December 6, Monday – Friday, 11 AM – 6 PM or by appointment. Admission is free, and daily reservations should be made in advance at youngarts.org. Hours are subject to change. Visitors are required to abide by YoungArts’ COVID-19 Safety Policy.
Many supporters make YoungArts programs possible, and we are grateful for the generous donors who have contributed $40,000 or more as we celebrate YoungArts’ 40th anniversary, including the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation; Sarah Arison and Thomas Wilhelm; Jeffrey Davis and Michael Miller; Jay Franke and David Herro; Michi and Charles Jigarjian and the 7G Foundation; The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Northern Trust Bank; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Sidney and Florence Stern Family Foundation; Sandra and Tony Tamer; Bruce and Ellie Taub; and Truist, along with Aon; Jill Braufman and Daniel Nir; Tracey Corwin; Natalie Diggins and Oren Michels; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Givenchy; Agnes Gund; Hearst Foundations; Leslie and Jason Kraus; and Steven and Oxana Marks.
