Welcome!

Through the artistic vision of its founding directors Improv Arts Inc. initiates the creation, performance, research, and evaluation of improvisational dance, music, and multi-disciplinary performance. Improv Arts Inc. accomplishes its goals through operating its performance companies, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration among artists, and producing educational programming.

Commissioning Club:

Join now to support the Low End String Quartet
You don’t have to be a super-wealthy arts patron to commission new music. The club bundles together contributions of all sizes. Our quartet is on a mission and we need you!

Performance Companies:

Jonathan Matis. Photo by Cameron McPhee

Daniel Burkholder/The PlayGround:
A movement based improvisational performance group. Read Daniel’s Blog, improvarts.blogspot.com to keep up with upcoming performances and insights into improvisation.

DC Improvisers Collective:
An ensemble exploring the intersection of jazz, contemporary composition and experimental music.

Low End String Quartet:
A “new and improved” version of a string quartet comprised of bass, electric guitar, cello, and violin; amplified to rumble your ribcage.

Collaboration and Networking:

Daniel Burkholder. Photo by Christine Stone

SPAN:
The Spontaneous Performing Artists Network, a national program that will bridge the dance and music improvisation community through performance, workshops, and artistic exchange.

DC International Improvisation Festival:
We serve in a leadership role organizing the festival in collaboration with a variety of other local organizations, curators, and individual artists.
 
Education and Outreach:

Daniel Burkholder, Jennifer Clark Stone and Audrey Chen Photo by Christine Stone

Workshops led by our own faculty, as well as leading practitioners from around the world.

Improvisational performance is spontaneous, and occurs completely in the moment, however the craft of improvisation is developed over time, with experience and rigorous practice. Improv Arts Inc. provides a mechanism to support long-term collaborations that will encourage deeper inquiry into the practice of improvisation, especially across disciplines, allowing artists working in different forms to learn from one another. Improv Arts Inc., through its long-term residency at Joe’s Movement Emporium will serve as a focal point for improvisation in the DC region by leveraging resources, presenting public events, sponsoring workshops, and providing a tangible hub for collaborative activities.
Supporters:

• Prince Georges County Arts Council
• DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
• Argosy Foundation Contemporary Music Fund
• Puffin Foundation
• Members of the Improv Arts Commissioning Club

[Original layout by Ben Azzara.  Text and graphics from improvarts.alkem.org]