Projects

Domestic Violence Project

The theory behind the Domestic Violence Project is to teach survivors to be in control of their own movement choices and emotions in a safe, supportive, non threatening environment and to be able to communicate this outward.

Often domestic violence survivors have not been given many choices in their lives. Their impulses have been controlled by another person. Through a collaborative workshop environment in which participants follow a series of movement exercises, this program is designed to help these survivors with issues of choice, autonomy, self-expression, trust and sharing. Intensive training and supervision is provided on an ongoing basis by experts in the field, most significantly by the clinical staff of Sanctuary for Families and Dr. Dan Laukitis, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma. Dr. Laukitis provides ongoing guidance through support groups for the Teaching Artists.

Sanctuary for Families Clinical Director Beth Silverman-Yam describes the project's effectiveness, "Traumatized women have lost a sense of how to make choices in their lives. This artistic endeavor is about choice, autonomy, self-expression, trust and sharing. All of that is embedded in the Domestic Violence movement classes and is part of a healing process. The energy is palpable."

In its remarkable six-year history, this program has developed a stellar reputation and is in increasingly greater demand by leading domestic violence service organizations, including Safe Horizon and Sanctuary for Families. Currently, it offers 325 workshops annually to over 3,000 women and children who are working to overcome the cycle of domestic violence.

Clinical staff members consistently report that their clients are more relaxed, reflective and responsive after participating in a session. In the words of the clients of Sanctuary for Families and Safe Horizon:

  • We thought it was going to be difficult. But you have the chance to create more movement and express more and more. You easily find yourself doing things you never did before.
  • After the workshop my body feels a little more relaxed.
  • I wanted to cry for release of tension I didn't know I had.
  • As a domestic violence victim, I feel like I'm coming alive again.

Because of safety concerns, domestic violence services are offered in private, confidential locations. However, just as the issue of domestic violence seeks the light of day and public recognition so should the nature of this extraordinary collaboration be openly acknowledged and replicated. Gina Gibney Dance creates a warm, nurturing, creative opportunity for personal change which when multiplied by those involved -dancers, survivors and service providers creates as well a synergy for social change as we work collaboratively to combat a society replete with violence. - Beth Silverman-Yam, Clinical Director of Sanctuary for Families

The Women at Work Domestic Violence Project was founded by and continues to be supported through the generosity of Altria Group, Inc. Additional support has been provided by Avon Foundation and The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.

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Moving the Community

In partnership with the Positive Life Program of Queens Child Guidance Center, Gina Gibney Dance has launched Moving the Community, a new program of dance and creativity serving the HIV/AIDS community of New York City. Working in the context of Positive Life Program's support groups and wellness retreats, we will bring the transformative and restorative power of movement and creativity to over one thousand adults and adolescents affected or infected by HIV/AIDS.

Moving the Community is funded by Johnson & Johnson/Society for the Arts in Healthcare and MAC AIDS Fund.

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Keep Moving
Washington Irving High School

Keep Moving at Washington Irving High School is a high quality artistic program that provides a positive physical and creative outlet for under served students at this New York City high school located near the Gina Gibney Dance studio. The students enrolled in the school are predominantly from poorer neighborhoods outside of the Union Square area and many have serious academic, economic and social challenges. The program's dual focus provides students with the opportunities and tools to move with ease, confidence and individuality and to create and develop their own original choreography and movement vocabulary. Participating students gain self-esteem, deepen problem-solving skills and are encouraged to collaborate and work cooperatively. Students learn about communication, creative decision making and commitment, and they gain knowledge of themselves and observe each other by being part of a creative process.

Every year that we have collaborated with the Gina Gibney Dance Company, I have been impressed with the technical and expressive levels reached by the dancers. The Gibney teaching artists make possible great leaps in accomplishment. They stimulate and challenge young dancers with highly sophisticated choreography and an unflinching expectation of professionalism. -Leslie Zema, Teacher at WIHS

Keep Moving at Washington Irving High School has been generously funded by the William T. Grant Foundation, Union Square Partnership, and with Public Funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.