Grantee Database
MASHUP CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY
Grant Year
2025-26
Grant Program
Impact Projects
Award Amount
$19,250.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company will develop and present the company’s 10th Annual International Women’s Day Dance Festival (IWDDF), a four-day celebration of women in dance. Featuring performances, screenings, classes, mentorship, and community events across Los Angeles, IWDDF centers feminist perspectives while welcoming participants of all identities. Grant funds will play a critical role in sustaining the festival and supporting the celebration of its 10th anniversary, and in particular, the cornerstone Showcase event. As MashUp celebrates its 15th year as a company, and the 10th year of IWDDF, this investment advances the company’s mission to uplift underrepresented voices and provide sustainable, paid opportunities for artists. With over 400 attendees annually, IWDDF fosters cultural exchange, expands dance literacy, and strengthens LA’s creative ecosystem through inclusive, accessible programming.
Organization Summary
MashUp sustains the following programs:
International Women’s Day Dance Festival (IWDDF) — Annually in March, MashUp recognizes the advancements of women with a four-day festival, featuring an all-female and non-binary choreographer showcase, movement classes, dynamic panel discussions around gender equity in the arts, and unique networking opportunities. Highlights include one-on-one mentorship for high school students at the Women Dance Summit and the electrifying Support Women Artists Day film festival.
National Women’s Equality Day (NWED) – Each August, MashUp joins forces with female-identifying creative teams, ideological partners, or social justice organizations to celebrate NWED via a performance, creation of a film, or community gathering. This program provides an opportunity for cross-disciplinary female artists and activists to collaborate, and challenges audiences to examine a current, culturally critical feminist topic.
Choreographic Residency — Open to female-identifying and non-binary emerging and mid-career choreographers, the residency includes a stipend ($2K-$4K), studio time with MashUp company dancers, and a fully produced showcase with professional documentation. A direct investment in the future of the dance field, this program is one of the only LA residency opportunities that provides this level of financial and producorial support.
Choreography Open Mic Nights — Quarterly events that offer eight LA-based choreographers 10 minutes to showcase their work and engage with a supportive public audience. The environment is designed to be extremely supportive, encouraging choreographers to ask for feedback and allowing audiences, including “non-dancers,” to learn how to articulate their thoughts about dance and directly interact with the artists, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of dance.
Intensives — MashUp hosts two-day dance intensives at its home studio: Frogtown Creative, as well as sends teachers out to studios to ensure access. Crafted specifically for the early career professional, these intensives include movement classes, Q&As with industry leaders, and mentorship sessions.
Organization
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company
Address
2926 Gilroy St
Los Angeles
90039
County
Los Angeles
Region
South – Los Angeles & Orange
Phone
(213) 259-3289
Congressional District
30th Congressional district of California.
State Assembly District
District 52
State Senate District
District 26
