2000 - The Louisiana Dance Initiative, inaugurated by the
Louisiana Division of the Arts, was organized in order to lead Louisiana’s
dance community into a coordinated phase of professional growth. The first
meeting was held in the Fall of 2000, and over 50 participants worked together
to define the needs and concerns of Louisiana's dance professionals, while
also outlining a long-range plan for dance in Louisiana.
May 2001 - A second meeting, held in conjunction with the
Louisiana State Arts Conference in Baton Rouge, followed in May 2001. Participants
at this meeting decided that in order to implement the state plan for dance
and meet the identified needs, a formal organization should be established,
designed to provide professional support services to the Louisiana dance community.A
small steering committee was subsequently organized to coordinate the third
meeting in Lake Charles.
October 2001 - The Lake Charles Civic Ballet hosted the
Louisiana Dance Initiative II, actually the third statewide dance meeting
at which participants discussed procedural steps for officially incorporating
a dance organization as well as initiating the creation of Bylaws.
The Board and its officers were elected.
August 2005 - The Louisiana Alliance for Dance held its
first major event, the First Annual Louisiana Dance Festival. This festival
was a three-day affair held at the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge.
Scheduled events included dance workshops, professional meetings, and 2 adjudicated
performances.
July 2006 - The second annual Louisiana Dance Festival
was held in Baton Rouge. It was modeled very closely after the first one in
2005.
