Alternative Motion Project

OUR MISSION

Alternative Motion Project (AMP) empowers and connects communities through highly physical, evocative, and collaborative contemporary dance experiences. 

AMP engages with artists & audiences alike through performance & education programs to promote an open environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and understanding. 

AMP’s creative work encourages the sharing of perspectives to reflect a variety of current themes and issues through showcasing and supporting new dance works by an array of different artists.

OUR HISTORY 

AMP was founded by Kristin Howe & Joanna Lees in 2011 to create professional opportunities for Twin Cities dance artists & to engage with students and audiences so they may connect deeply & intentionally to the performance experience. 

AMP has developed educational & performance programs to: 

• produce 15 mainstage shows for Twin Cities audiences;
• create 40+ original new works;
• provide performance opportunities to 50+ local professional performers;
• commission 25+ local choreographers to create new & existing works;
• collaborate & perform with local & national artists who practice various non-movement art forms (music, painting, photography, etc);
• create original engagement initiatives that help to uncover the artistic process for audiences;
• assembled multiple non-profit dance organizations to support each other in community fundraising events;
• develop multi-year educational residencies with public schools;
• host classes for adult & professional students that aid in professional development;
• executed a creative college mentorship program with Winona State University Dance Minors Students;
• perform as part of multiple domestic tours.

All funds raised will support general operating costs for Fiscal Year 2024-25.

We are a small but mighty local community organization that supports local artists in practical and impactful ways. Post-pandemic/lockdown (2021-2024), we worked tirelessly to expand our programming offerings successfully. In 2022-2023, we supported our communities by increasing the number of local choreographer commissions, the performance opportunities for professional dancers and audiences, and the number/styles of master classes/workshops offered. In 2024, we mentored 8 Dance Minor students from Winona State University and featured them in our 12th Season Performance.

We continue to build upon our long term goals:

• To lead in our values in accessibility, particularly financial and physical accessibility. 
• To engage AMP’s presence in the dance community and the Twin Cities.
• To make AMP more equitable, internally within the organization and externally within our activities and focus. 
• To remain flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing nature of our world and resources. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MOVE BIG?

Move BIG is more than a tagline- it is AMP's philosophy. Move BIG means more than the large and virtuosic movement that AMP is known for. Move BIG is advancing the art form of dance in any way we can. Whether it is through our choreography and performances, collaborations with other artists, engaging audience members, or education and exposure to those in need, we can come together as a community and acknowledge a purpose greater than ourselves.

Photos: Courtesy of Cowles Center for Performing Arts or Bill Cameron.