DANCE & cULTURE sUMMIT

 The Texas Association for Dance and Culture (TADC) is proud to present and support Ballet Folklórico contests across the State of Texas as an expansion of the North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest. Established in 2019 by a group of dance educators, fine arts administrators, and program leaders, this initiative began as a regional effort to provide schools with a structured assessment platform for folklórico programs. Today, it has developed into a statewide educational initiative supporting folklórico instruction in both public and private schools.

TADC continues to collaborate with educators and the University Interscholastic League (UIL) by providing program data, assessment models, and educational resources. The contests are currently in the monitoring phase with UIL, representing an important step in the formal evaluation process toward potential official recognition..

The Adopt-a-School Program is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen school-based dance programs across Texas by providing essential instructional resources to participating schools. Through this program, corporate sponsors, businesses, and individual donors have the opportunity to adopt a school of their choice, supporting student participation and instruction by supplying costumes, accessories, and materials needed for performance preparation.

TADC manages every step of the process, connecting sponsors with schools and ensuring that each contribution supports long-term student engagement in dance education. By supporting the Adopt-a-School Program, sponsors help expand access to dance instruction, strengthen school programs, and provide students the opportunity to study regional dance traditions within an educational setting.

The TADC Dance & Culture Summit and Workshops provide students, educators, and community members with opportunities to develop leadership skills and advance their training in multiple dance forms. Through masterclasses and professional learning experiences led by accomplished artists and educators, participants strengthen technique, creativity, and knowledge of regional dance traditions. These programs support meaningful dance education experiences, foster cultural appreciation, and provide educators with the opportunity to earn CPE hours.

The Folklórico Innovative Grant supports dance educators in public and private schools in establishing new Ballet Folklórico programs. The grant provides recipients with essential instructional resources, including shoes, skirts, and foundational materials needed to begin a school-based folklórico program.

The program supports instruction in regional folklórico dance traditions within the school environment and equips educators with the resources necessary to introduce students to structured folklórico training. As a foundational initiative, it serves as a starting point for expanding school-based folklórico instruction across Texas.