Red Clay Dance Company

What Red Clay Dance Company does

Red Clay Dance Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit and Chicago's premier Black, female-led Afro-contemporary dance company, founded July 23, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY by Vershawn Sanders-Ward and relocated to Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side. The organization creates, performs, and teaches dances of the African Diaspora through a trademarked philosophy it calls "Artivism" — integrating artistic excellence with social activism. Core operations center on a professional touring ensemble of approximately eight company members, supported by a 20+ person staff and board, and anchored in the 3,900-square-foot Red Clay Dance Center (opened August 2021) at 808 East 63rd Street.

The company's product portfolio spans earned and contributed revenue streams. Earned revenue includes adult dance classes in African Diasporic traditions ($18 single, $30 masterclass, 10-Class Card subscriptions), a $35/month In The Making membership providing 18 hours of rehearsal space and discounts, studio rentals starting at $15/hour and event/facility rentals from $200-$2,200, the biennial La Femme Dance Festival, signature original works (Rest.Rise.Move.Nourish.Heal.; Freedom Square: The Black Girlhood Altar), merchandise e-commerce, and the Dance Pamoja corporate wellness offering. Signature programming includes the Making The Artivist® paid 12-month apprenticeship for dancers ages 18-24, an annual Summer Intensive, and school/community workshop residencies.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit model that combines earned income (classes, tickets, rentals, memberships, corporate workshops) with contributed income from 15+ major institutional funders (MacArthur, Mellon, Ford, Walder, Alphawood, Donnelley, Joyce, IFF, DCASE, Illinois Arts Council, among others), corporate sponsorships (e.g., Athletico), and individual giving through the Artivist Circle monthly program ($15+/month). The organization serves a hybrid customer base spanning professional dancers and choreographers, adult dance enthusiasts, K-12 and university partners, corporate clients, and arts presenting venues, with distribution through its own website and facility as well as venue partnerships at MCA Chicago, Harris Theater, Jacob's Pillow, The Yard, and internationally in Uganda, Senegal, and South Africa.

Name

Red Clay Dance Company

Legal name

Red Clay Dance Company, Inc.

Website

https://redclaydance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Red Clay Dance Company is a Black, female-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates, performs, and teaches Afro-contemporary dances of the African Diaspora via adult classes, youth apprenticeships, touring performances, studio rentals, and corporate wellness workshops from its Woodlawn Center in Chicago.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts (Afro-Contemporary Dance)

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD), Dance Floor, Staging & Platform Rentals (HSACAFAD)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance performances
• African diasporic dance
• Dance education programs
• Professional touring company
• Community arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales & Performance Revenue: Revenue from performances and events including Season programming, special performances at venues like MCA, Harris Theater, and international touring. La Femme Dance Festival tickets range from $19-$59.
2. Dance Classes: Adult dance classes in African and African Diasporic movement traditions. Single classes $18, masterclasses $30, 10-Class Cards available.
3. Studio & Facility Rentals: Individual artist rentals starting at $15/hr for rehearsals; event rentals from $200-$2200 depending on duration and needs. Supports the organization's Artivist programming.
4. Corporate Workshops & Partnerships: Dance Pamoja corporate wellness workshops and school/community partnership programming generating revenue while building organizational culture.
5. In The Making Membership: Monthly membership program at $35/month for Chicago dancers providing 18 hours of rehearsal space, class discounts, merchandise discounts, and network access.
6. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, and gift cards supporting the mission.
7. Donations & Fundraising: Individual donations through Artivist Circle monthly giving ($15+/month), annual Paint the Town Red fundraiser, planned giving (Legacy Circle), corporate matching, and United Way contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Red Clay Dance Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Afro-contemporary dance company that creates, performs, and teaches dances of the African Diaspora. Its core products and services include a professional touring company, adult dance classes in African Diasporic traditions (Afro-Cuban, House, Jazz Funk, Kizomba, Samba, Afro Contemporary, Ballet), the Making The Artivist® 12-month paid apprenticeship, In The Making membership, studio and facility rentals, and signature events such as the La Femme Dance Festival and Summer Intensive.

Product overview

Red Clay Dance Company offers a portfolio of interconnected dance programs and services centered on Afro-contemporary dance and Artivism. The core offerings include adult dance classes in African Diasporic traditions, the Making The Artivist® paid apprenticeship for ages 18-24, and the In The Making membership providing affordable studio access. The company operates two professionally-equipped studios (1150 SF and 615 SF) available for rental, plus a multipurpose event venue. Signature events include the biennial La Femme Dance Festival and annual Summer Intensive. Community programs encompass school workshops, corporate wellness (Dance Pamoja), and the Artivist Circle monthly giving. The professional touring company presents original works including Rest.Rise.Move.Nourish.Heal. and Freedom Square: The Black Girlhood Altar. A merchandise shop supports the mission through apparel and gift items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Making The Artivist®: A paid 12-month apprenticeship program for dancers, choreographers, and movement artists ages 18-24, exploring how dance can be used as a tool for social change.
• La Femme Dance Festival
• In The Making
• Dance Pamoja
• Artivist Circle

Products and services

• Adult Dance Classes Rotating schedule of adult dance classes rooted in African and African Diasporic movement traditions including Afro-Cuban, House, Jazz Funk, Kizomba, Samba, Afro Contemporary, and Ballet. Open to beginners through advanced dancers; single classes $18, masterclasses $30, 10-Class Cards available.
• Making The Artivist® Paid 12-month apprenticeship for dancers, choreographers, and movement artists ages 18-24. Two-phase program (Discover and Develop) teaching choreographic storytelling, real-world performance, and creative project development through the lens of Artivism, with mentorship and seed funding for top projects.
• In The Making Monthly membership program for Chicago dancers and choreographers providing 18 hours of rehearsal space, class and workshop discounts, merchandise discounts, and access to a network of South Side creatives, at $35/month with flexible cancellation.
• Studio Rental Self-serve rental of two professionally-equipped studios (1,150 SF and 615 SF) with sprung wood floors, mirrors, and A/V tech. Individual artist rentals start at $15/hour for rehearsals, movement practice, audition prep, and collaborative creative process; group rentals with custom pricing.
• Event/Facility Rental Multipurpose venue rental at the Woodlawn Center for corporate events, fundraisers, receptions, and team-building, including access to two studios, lobby, kitchenette, and conference room. Rental rates range from $200-$2200 depending on duration and needs.
• La Femme Dance Festival Biennial signature festival celebrating women choreographers of the African Diaspora during Women's History Month, presented at Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Features performances, masterclasses, and community engagement; tickets $19-$59 with pay-what-you-can options.
• Summer Intensive Two-week intensive training program (June 1-13, 2026) open to advanced/professional dancers ages 18+, featuring repertory, creative process, and the Echoes of the Diaspora Showcase.
• School/Community Workshops 90-minute workshops led by Teaching Artivists using African Diaspora dance as foundation for exploring art, identity, and social justice. Available as one-time experiences or 12-36 hour residency series for K-12 schools, colleges, and community organizations.
• Dance Pamoja 90-minute corporate wellness workshop meaning 'together' in Swahili. Embodied experience designed to elevate workplace wellness, strengthen team connection, and cultivate belonging through guided movement and reflective practice rooted in African Diaspora traditions.
• Professional Touring Company Performances Touring ensemble of 8 dance artivists performing Afro-contemporary dance of the African Diaspora on local, national, and international stages, including Jacob's Pillow, The Yard, MCA Chicago, Harris Theater, National Theater of Uganda, Ecole De Sables (Senegal), and South Africa.
• Red Clay Dance Merchandise E-commerce sales of apparel and accessories including t-shirts featuring Artivist branding, performance merchandise, gift cards, and limited edition items supporting the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sustained 18 seasons of operation with international touring presence
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting Chicago Performs festival featuring Red Clay Dance Company's world premiere of Freedom Square: The Black Girlhood Altar.
• AthleticominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Provider of Physical Therapy for Season 17, supporting company health and wellness.
• Along Walk Home (ALWH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeason 17 partner supporting company programming and community engagement.
• Harris Theater for Music and DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor performance venue hosting La Femme Dance Festival and TEDxChicago 2025 performances.
• Jacob's PillowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric dance institution where company made debut performance summer 2025 as part of national touring.
• The YardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartha's Vineyard venue where company performed as part of summer 2025 East Coast tour.
• International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting conference where company performs Unconditional Conditions at 36th Annual Conference in Atlanta, February 2026.
• POAH ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting affordable housing and community development in Chicago.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Deeply Rooted Dance Theater: Chicago-based nonprofit performing dance company dedicated to contemporary and Afro-centric dance rooted in the African Diaspora experience. Directly comparable to Red Clay on geography (Chicago), mission (Afro-diasporic dance + community), and model (touring ensemble + education programming).
• Muntu Dance Theatre: Chicago-based African dance company producing contemporary and traditional African and African-American choreography, with strong educational programming for youth and adults. Competes for the same Chicago foundation pools, school partnerships, and corporate wellness engagements as Red Clay.
• Philadanco: Philadelphia-based touring dance company presenting contemporary dance rooted in the African Diaspora, with robust education and community programs. Closely comparable operating model (touring ensemble + outreach + training) with similar revenue mix of ticket sales, classes, and foundation support.
• Urban Bush Women: Brooklyn-based dance company using dance as a vehicle for community engagement, social justice, and cultural preservation, with strong touring and education programs. Directly analogous Artivism/sacred-artist positioning and revenue diversification across performance, training, and partnerships.
• Luna Negra Dance Theater: Chicago-based contemporary dance company previously focused on new works with a strong education mission. Historically a direct Chicago contemporary-dance peer competing for the same institutional funders, audiences, and venue slots as Red Clay.

Broad incumbents

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The largest and most prominent U.S. modern dance company celebrating the African Diaspora, with extensive touring, education (Ailey School), and corporate/community programming. Sets the ceiling on what's institutionally possible in Afro-diasporic dance at scale.
• Dance Theatre of Harlem: New York-based world-class ballet company rooted in Black artistic excellence, offering multi-level education and community programs. Overlaps with Red Clay on mission positioning and educational outreach, though anchored in classical ballet rather than Afro-contemporary.

Regional players

• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Chicago-based contemporary dance company producing a range of choreographic works nationally and internationally, with strong education and community programming. Shares the Chicago foundation/venue ecosystem and nonprofit touring dance model.
• Trinity Irish Dance Company: Chicago-based nonprofit dance company combining performance with extensive education and outreach. Comparable as a culturally-rooted Chicago dance nonprofit competing for similar corporate wellness, school residency, and foundation funding.

Others

• Mark Morris Dance Group: Brooklyn-based nonprofit dance company with a substantial education and community engagement arm (Dance for PD, school programs). Comparable as a mature nonprofit dance model combining touring company, facility-based classes, and community programming at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/redclaydance
• Facebookfacebook.com/redclaydance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@redclaydancecompany
• Xx.com/redclaydance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/redclaydance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Red Clay Dance Company