Core Dance is one of nine collaborators that has partnered with the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts to provide hope for people in need of support during the COVID-19 social distancing period. These artistic offerings are being sent to first responders, hospitalized patients, isolated elders, terminally ill children, and others in need of encouragement and hope. This outreach was conceived mid-March by Karine Parker, Executive Director, of the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts and its sister organization Be the Hope, Be the Peace. Each gift includes an artwork in the shape of a heart made by children or adults, which is then layered with music, poetry and/or words, and a dance phrase created to bring joy to its recipient. The gifts also include a self-care tip to support the receiver during the nationwide self-isolation period.

“Through “Hearts for Hope, Art for All” we wanted to promote a chain of hope and solidarity between our local and global community affected by the pandemic,” said Karine Parker, Executive Director of the Texan-French Alliance of the Arts. “As always our mission is to create positive movement for the benefit of our community, building solid relationships for a more resilient future together.”

Organizations participating in the creation of the HeARTS for Hope gift include the Texas-French Alliance for the Arts; Be the Peace – Be the Hope; Brave Little Company; Core Dance; Lovescaping; Performance Communication/Sonrie; Prelude Music Foundation; School of Science and Technology; and the Wide School. Learn more about the HeARTS for Hope project at https://bepeacebehope.com/4-5-heart-gift-pack.

“At Core Dance we believe dance has the potential for healing,” said Sue Schroeder, artistic director and co-founder of Core Dance. “Our Dance Artists created a phrase to layer the gift package with love to help release trauma and foster healing.”