Art in Motion Makes Dance Accessible

Photos courtesy Art in Motion

Art in Motion began in 2016 as a way to bring international dance forms to students in Pittsburgh. Since then, they have broadened their class offerings to include both traditional and nontraditional forms of movement. Owner Jen Gallagher recently decided to expand her studio and create a nonprofit arm of Art in Motion to provide opportunities for those facing financial barriers to take classes. North Hills Monthly spoke with Gallagher about her studio and how she came to this decision.

North Hills Monthly (NHM): Describe Art in Motion and its mission.

Jen Gallagher (Gallagher): We are a Pittsburgh-based dance studio offering classes for kids and adults, focusing on wellness, joy, and inclusivity. Right now, we have between 100 and 110 students, ranging in age from 3 to 81, and we offer recreational dance classes every day of the week.

NHM: What inspired you to open Art in Motion?

Gallagher: Working with my former co-founder, Luciana, we originally wanted to start a dance studio focusing on international dances rather than traditional Western dance forms. We both taught samba and belly dance and hoped to grow that community in particular. We were also looking to create a studio that hosted adults as well as children. Everyone deserves to dance!

NHM: What types of classes are offered? Are there any unique or specialized classes?

Gallagher: We offer classes for kids and adults in tap, ballet, jazz, belly dance, Irish dance, yoga, modern, hip hop, and lyrical. Belly dance, being a folkloric dance, uses many different props, but truthfully, I believe our approach to learning makes each class rather specialized.

NHM: What sets your studio apart from other dance and movement spaces in Pittsburgh?

Gallagher: We do not participate in competitions. As a recreational studio, this allows us the freedom to offer our students flexibility in scheduling. Life is truly busy, and we know not everyone can commit to a competition schedule. However, everyone and every body deserves to move in a safe, welcoming environment with talented and knowledgeable instructors.

NHM: How do you engage with the Pittsburgh community? Do you collaborate with local artists, businesses, or organizations?

Gallagher: We have been creating collaborations in Sharpsburg, our home neighborhood, through our new business group. We are planning Saturday events in which all businesses participate. We have also begun working with Artspiration, a local nonprofit, and TeeTotal Initiative, for whom we hosted a dance event. We are looking to establish greater collaborations with our Community Summer Camp in July and August.

NHM: You’re transitioning Art in Motion into a nonprofit dance studio. When and how did you come to this decision?

Gallagher: I have known for a long time that dance can be exclusive; oftentimes, the price of regular classes is too much for families to manage. I know that many nonprofits can pursue funding to help close those gaps and provide more scholarships. Right now, I offer about 10% of our students scholarship funding out of studio profits, but I hope to amplify that as we transition into a nonprofit.

NHM: How is Art in Motion making the transition into a nonprofit? What steps are being taken?

Gallagher: Rather than converting our LLC to a nonprofit entity, we are opening a nonprofit arm of the studio called Art Motion Pittsburgh (AMP), with a mission of providing accessibility, inclusivity, and joy through dance. Eventually, my hope is to allow the LLC to close and for the nonprofit to become the main entity.

NHM: What will change about Art in Motion as it transitions into a nonprofit?

Gallagher: Classes will remain the same, but we hope to expand our scholarship program and offer off-site programming for those who cannot make it to us. We also hope to increase collaborations with other nonprofit arts entities.

NHM: Where will you gain funding?

Gallagher: Hopefully through donations and grants. We are still reviewing our possibilities.

NHM: How can community members support this transition?

Gallagher: The community can support us by attending classes and events and spreading the word. We find that word-of-mouth recommendations from positive experiences with us are the best advertising money can buy. 

NHM: What do you hope to achieve in the next few years as a new nonprofit?

Gallagher: I hope to increase nonprofit collaborations and dance scholarships within these first five years. I would love to expand our summer camp to two months next year rather than the one month we currently have planned. I also hope to make our classes more accessible to local families.