The “Dance Heritage Coalition” is a national dance alliance of institutions holding collections of materials documenting the history of dance. The DHC was founded in 1992 and contains a coalition of 10 organizations which address problems in documenting dance and preserving the record problems. Its mission is to preserve, make accessible, enhance, and expand the materials that document the artistic accomplishments in dance of the past, present, and future.
One major project within the DHC is “America’s Irreplaceable Dance Treasures.” It is intended to heighten public interest in the magnificence and richness of America’s dance heritage and the imperative to document and preserve it for future generations. The project has had a significant impact on dance as an art form, has enriched the nation’s cultural heritage, and has demonstrated the potential to enhance the lives of future generations.
This initiative involves the digitalization of a wide range of materials including photos, videos, performance recordings, and written documents in hopes to preserve dance resources for future generations. A large component of this project is the collection of oral histories from dancers, choreographers, and key figures in the dance community, which adds personal narratives in depth to the understanding of dance history. By making these resources accessible online, the project invites a larger audience including researchers, educators, and the general public to explore.
The project specifically emphasizes the representation of diverse voices within the community, as well as encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration among dance scholars and digital humanities professionals. Ultimately, this project aims to keep dance history alive, not just digitally, but also stimulates exploration and scholarship in the field to keep dance as an integral part of cultural history.
