Dancing for a Cause: Artists for Hope Marks 10 Years of Giving Back
"When we started this event a decade ago, we had no idea it would grow to be so successful and impactful,” said Jamie Williams, San Jac dance professor and event founder. “We have always loved sharing this ever-growing event with the Houston community, but this milestone year was especially significant."
Williams founded Artists for Hope after experiencing personal loss and wanting to give back to the community.
"When I started teaching at the College full time, my mother had just passed away," she said. "Shortly after that, I learned that a student and a colleague both had family members diagnosed with cancer. I saw myself in these women, which pulled at my heart."
Motivated to make a difference, Williams researched ways she could give back through her position at the College. That first year, she was overwhelmed by the dance community's support.
"I contacted 10 or 12 dance companies hoping someone would want work with us," she said. "All of them said yes. They were all ready and willing to donate their time and talents to our cause."
Master classes on pointe
Artists for Hope received a San Jacinto College Foundation grant this year, allowing the event to bring in Roderick George, a Houston native and rising New York City dance artist. George and members of his company joined the event to teach master classes. Selected dancers also worked with George to create and perform a premiere work at the event.
The charity event features two days of free master classes with professional dance instructors. In addition to San Jac dance students, these classes welcome university students, Houston-based professionals, and dancers from local studios and high schools.
"We decided to offer these classes because our students and local dancers can't always afford pricey workshops and concerts downtown," Williams said. "By keeping the classes free, we're giving back to our local dance community."
Reel Impact
"During the pandemic, many dancers turned to creating dance films," Williams said. "Live performances weren't an option, so we had to pivot and hone new skills to keep creating and sharing work."
This shift led to the creation of the Artists for Hope International Dance Film Festival. Through Film Freeway, Williams and fellow instructor Jennifer Salter launched the festival and hoped for the best.
"We had 150 film submissions from 13 different countries our first year," Williams said. "We never expected the festival to go international, but we're thrilled it did."
In the last five seasons, the festival featured 43 films from 15 countries.
Win-Win-Win
Over the years, Artists for Hope has donated profits to charities supporting struggling local families, veterans, human trafficking victims, children with terminal illnesses, homeless people, and cancer research.
"We're in a unique position," Williams explained. "Because the College owns the venue, we can donate 100% of the profits to charity. The master class instructors are paid through our budget and through grants, and the performers donate their time, so we don't need to take any of the profit."
This year's charity, Pour into Houston, provides underserved Houstonians with accessible, affordable mental health care.
"We ask past charities for recommendations each year, which is how we found Pour into Houston," Williams said. "We try to support organizations that focus on the Houston area and have a significant impact."
Williams sees the partnership between Artists for Hope and the Houston dance community as a win-win-win.
"It's the perfect result," she said. "The audience gets to experience the San Jac dance program and some of Houston's finest dance artistry. Dance companies get to support a great cause, and we raise funds for charity. We couldn't have planned a better outcome."
