OUR ARTIVISM
An Artivist is more than just an artist. At Red Clay Dance Company, an Artivist is someone who uses their art as a catalyst for community transformation and social justice.
This TEDx performance captures Red Clay Dance Company’s Artivism In Motion — Afro-contemporary dance of the African Diaspora as a catalyst for social change and collective healing.
An Artivist:
Believes art facilitates social change
Actively connects, engages and builds community
Practices self-assessment and re-assessment of their work
Dedicates their practice to intentionally addressing social inequities
Decenters themselves in Artivism work
Has evidence or fruit of their impact
THE HERSTORY
Founded in Brooklyn, NY on July 23, 2008 and now based in Chicago, IL, Red Clay Dance Company is the brainchild of Vershawn Sanders-Ward, the institutions’ Founding Artistic Director & CEO. Red Clay Dance is Chicago’s premier Afro-contemporary dance company, voted Best Dance Organization by the Chicago Reader in 2019. The touring company is a versatile and dynamic ensemble of dance artivist that tours and performs locally, nationally and internationally the choreographic work of its founder. The organization also houses its signature Making the Artivist apprenticeship program and provides dance education programming to schools and community partners.
Envisioned during her first trip to Africa in the summer of 2007, Sanders-Ward had just finished grad school at New York University and was spending her summer traveling, performing, and preparing for the next step in her artistic journey. It was at L’Ecole De Sables, a dance school in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal founded by legendary choreographer Germaine Acogny that Sanders-Ward first witnessed the spiritual interconnectedness of dance and daily life. At that moment, she decided this “embodied knowing” had to be the foundation for her dance company. She recognized the impact of Acogny’s gift to that small fishing village- a dance school that brought economic development and entrepreneurial opportunities to it’s neighbors. Sanders-Ward desired to build an organization that would have this same impact in marginalized communities on the South Side of Chicago. Red Clay Dance Company is rooted in African Diaspora movement practices and serves as a platform for Artivism (art + activism). It creates dance work that aspires to have a “glocal” impact and help to erase the cultural and socio-economic inequities in our city, nation, and world. Upon founding the company, she quickly began to gather like-minded dance artists who might help her actualize her dream. The name Red Clay Dance comes from her childhood memories. Although raised in the Chicago area, she was born in Mobile, Alabama, where she spent every summer, until the age of 12, with her grandparents learning about the land and the history of her birthplace of Plateau, also known as “Africatown”. This small community was formed by a group of 32 West Africans from the Kindgom of Dahomey, who in 1860, were included in the last known illegal shipment of slaves to the United States on a slave ship called Clotilda.
“Thinking back, the red earth was a playground for me as a kid, and I would use it to make all sorts of crazy things,” recalls Sanders-Ward. “Mix it with a little water, and it was like clay, something I could take with my hands and mold into something spectacular! It was unique because I made it, I dreamt it and designed it with my own hands.”
This is how Sanders-Ward views her choreographic work, a shaping and molding of our shared humanity expressed through dance, creating a visceral experience that lays bare our embodied memories. She choreographed her first work, Red Clay Child to honor this family history. Red Clay Dance Company is a thriving 501c3 charitable organization that houses a professional touring company, and a robust Community Engagement & Education (CEE) program that offers culturally rich dance education and artivism training to schools and community spaces.
Words to Live By: Artivism
At Red Clay Dance, Artivism is more than a philosophy—it’s a call to action. Through dance, we raise awareness, build community, and spark change. Company leaders, artists, and students share their perspectives on how Artivism fuels our work, from performances to education. What does Artivism mean to you?
Red Clay Dance: 2013 Summer/Fall Events
The season is packed with powerful performances and collaborations! Catch us at the Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival on September 21, experience our In the Works Residency with Keiga Dance Company at the Chicago Cultural Center, and don’t miss the premiere of On Hallowed Ground on October 6. We’re closing out the season with a bang—join us for our 5th Anniversary Fall Concert & Paint the Town Red Party on October 18-19 at Logan Arts Center. Stay tuned for ticket details and be part of the movement!
Dance4Peace - An Evening of Bliss
The Dance4Peace Youth Explosion was a night filled with energy, joy, and powerful performances at the Gary Comer Youth Center. With a buzzing backstage, heartfelt tributes, and an audience eager to witness the magic, the evening truly captured the spirit of community and celebration. From honoring mothers to bidding farewell to documentary filmmaker Timothy Lydon, every moment was unforgettable. Relive the excitement and join us at our next performances—because the movement never stops!
Dance4Peace 2013 Youth Dance Explosion, May 11, 2013
Mark your calendars! On May 11, 2013, Red Clay Dance, in partnership with the Gary Comer Youth Center, presents Dance 4 Peace—a powerful celebration of dance and youth empowerment. Featuring some of the best youth dance groups from across Chicagoland, this event is all about unity, expression, and community. No competition, no awards—just movement, joy, and purpose. Proceeds support Red Clay Dance’s education and community engagement programs. Get your tickets now and help bring dance education to Chicago’s youth!
RAD Fest Spotlight on Red Clay Dance
At the 2013 Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest), Red Clay Dance captivated audiences with Gone 2 Soon. Festival coordinator Rachel Miller praised Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders’ fusion of African, modern, and hip-hop dance, calling it “very original, very grounded… and surprising.” Featured on the cover of the Kalamazoo Gazette Sunday Arts section, this performance was a standout moment in the festival’s lineup.
Red Clay Dance performs in Kalamazoo!
Red Clay Dance made its Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival debut in Kalamazoo, MI, presenting Gone 2 Soon, a powerful new work. Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders also led a masterclass and joined a panel discussion, deepening the festival’s exploration of dance and storytelling. From open rehearsals to thought-provoking performances, this weekend was a celebration of movement, dialogue, and community.
Red Clay Dance: Season 2012 - 2013
The 2012-2013 season was packed with movement, mentorship, and meaningful collaborations. From the Summer Intensive and company auditions to the TransAtlantic Project—a groundbreaking festival uniting Red Clay Dance and Uganda’s Keiga Dance Company—this season embodied the company’s commitment to training, performance, and international exchange. Whether nurturing emerging dancers or showcasing bold new works, Red Clay Dance continued to push the boundaries of Afro-contemporary dance.
Time Out Chicago & Culturadar Critic's Pick: Celebrating Our Legacy
Time Out Chicago & Culturadar Critic's Pick: Celebrating Our Legacy
Red Clay Dance Company’s Celebrating Our Legacy was named a Critic’s Pick by Time Out Chicago and Culturadar—and for good reason. This powerful one-night-only performance at Kennedy-King College’s Katherine Dunham Theater highlighted the company’s signature storytelling rooted in the African Diaspora, introduced a growing youth company, and tackled pressing social issues through dance. Featuring new works, collaborations, and a show-stopping finale, Celebrating Our Legacy was truly one to remember.