
about us
About Keshet
Mission
Rooted in dance, mentorship, and a welcoming space for the arts, Keshet activates community and fosters unlimited possibilities through education, engagement, innovation, and the pursuit of justice.
Vision
To celebrate the art of dance and be a welcoming home for the intersection of the arts, artists, and audience; actuating a flourishing environment for empowered individuals, nurtured communities, and sustained equity.
Housed at the Keshet Center for the Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and founded in 1996, the heart of our organization is Keshet Dance Company, a core group of professional dance artists, who creatively feed and are fed by four intersecting areas of community impact: Social Justice through Dance, the Business of Art, Community Dance Education, and Contemporary Dance Performance
KESHET DANCE COMPANY
The Company consists of movement artists who find their truest selves in the art of dance. The professional dance artists that bring life to Keshet Dance Company brilliantly remove the boundaries between “dance” and “community,” and they can usually be found sharing movement, mentorship, and laughter with each other; with visiting artists; with students of all ages, abilities and spaces; and with communities near and far.
KESHET CENTER FOR THE ARTS
30,000 sq. ft. of pure fun with studios, theater, gift shop, costume shop, community gathering spaces, and wearing the largest mural in the State of New Mexico. Keshet Center for the Arts is proud to be an anchor organization in the Midtown Arts and Entertainment District.
Community Impact Areas
SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH DANCE
Keshet’s Arts and Justice Initiatives work with a broad range of community partners at the intersection of arts and juvenile justice who envision a future where youth are empowered, and where the systems that serve them are transformed, centering the arts as a way to build the well-being of young people and their communities. Keshet’s work in this area includes:
- Dance programming for incarcerated and paroling youth;
- Post-release transition and detention alternatives support, through arts programming and mentorship;
- Field research supporting policy and advocacy efforts towards meaningful systems change; and
- Community conversations and learning opportunities centering youth voices with an eye towards resource connectivity across social sector and government agencies.
THE BUSINESS OF ART
The Keshet Ideas and Innovation Community (KIIC) champions the value of the artist and the arts economy. Through KIIC, Keshet:
- Offers arts business classes for arts entrepreneurs throughout the year, and
- Facilitates various artist residencies, providing access to rehearsal and performance space for movement artists.
COMMUNITY DANCE EDUCATION
Everyone can dance!
- Keshet classes are available to all levels, ages, and abilities; from age 2 to 102.
- To break down economic barriers to dance, Keshet offers unlimited, non-competitive scholarships through a sliding scale payment structure.
- While many of Keshet’s dance education opportunities are multi-generational, we also offer specific programs for young dancers, pre-professional students, professional dancers, novice adults, older adults, dancers with disabilities, and more.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE PERFORMANCE
Keshet engages audiences in a wide range of contemporary dance performance experiences and opportunities.
- Local performances range from community-wide collaborative productions to national and international visiting guest artists.
- Keshet on tour brings the unique work of the Keshet company to regional, national, and international communities.
Board of Directors
Board President:
Manuel Montoya, Associate Professor of International Management and Global Structures,
Chair of Creative Enterprise, University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Management
Immediate Past Board President:
Tom Wolinski, Fiasco Fine Wine
Board Vice President:
Dovya Friedman, Owner/CEO, Utility Agency & DLF Branding
Treasurer:
Vanessa Shackleford, Program Analyst, Dept of Energy, Leidos
Members at Large:
Arlyn Crow, Adams + Crow Law Firm
Rabbi John T. Feldman, Professor, University of New Mexico Law School; Mediator; Musician
Randy Trask, New Mexico International Trade Alliance
Shira Greenberg, Founder & Artistic Director, Keshet
Supporters
Supporters
Thank you to these amazing Corporate Fans for your support!
Corporate Fans are businesses and individuals who support Keshet and connect to community members and art enthusiasts through sponsorship of Keshet’s ongoing, virtual and in-person performance season. Learn more by emailing Advancement@KeshetArts.org.
Thank you to these amazing Funders for your support!
- E.A. Michelson Philanthropy
- BNSF Railway Foundation
- Nusenda Foundation
- Sandia Foundation’s Hugh and Helen Woodward Fund of the Albuquerque Community Foundation
- Sheila Fortune Foundation
- Wells Fargo Foundation
WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!
Keshet (Keshet Dance Company) is a private, non-profit organization according to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax-deductible.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Keshet would like to thank our entire Cast of Characters, especially those in the following supporting roles whose financial and in-kind contributions make a difference in supporting “unlimited possibilities” in Calendar Year 2021 (January 1 – December 31, 2021).
* All or a portion of the gift is in-kind
~ Sustainers Club member
If you made a donation in 2021 and don’t see yourself listed, please send a message to sebrena@keshetarts.org.
Celebrating Dance & Community: Keshet is the guest of Silverkite Podcast
Learn about Keshet with Pat Allen: Weekly Edition Fall 2019
PRODUCERS ($10,000+)
Albuquerque Community Foundation
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Anonymous
Bernalillo County – Economic Development Department
City of Albuquerque – Economic Development Department*
E.A. Michelson Philanthropy
Groovy Avocado, LLC
Maurice Amado Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Nina Kane*
New Mexico Finance Authority
Sandia Foundation
The Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation, Inc
New Mexico Arts, a Division of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts
New Mexico Collaborative Zone Fund
United Way of Central New Mexico
US Small Business Administration
Western States Art Federation
Choreographers ($5,000-$9,999)
City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust Fund
Cumulus Media (770 KKOB)*
Eurasia Foundation
Rick Letscher and Shira Greenberg*~
New England Foundation for the Arts
Nusenda Credit Union Foundation
PNM Resources Foundation
Vintage Albuquerque
DIVAS ($2,500-$4,999)
Adams + Crow Law Firm
BNSF Railway Foundation
Robert and Janet Ford
Mark Hartman
New Mexico Humanities Council
Sheila Fortune Foundation
Marla Wood
Anonymous Donor
Starlets ($1,000-$2,499)
A+ Marketing Consultants*
Albuquerque Academy
Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe
Anonymous (2)
Dana and Justin Ball*
Pat Berrett*
Lani and James Casady
Maria Montoya Chavez and Leland Chavez
Merrie Courtright
Dan and Karen Gelb*
Aaron Hendren*
Lovelace Health System
New Mexico Trade Alliance*
Peacock Law P.C.*
Bradley Peterson
Jennifer Moore Plane
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Southwest Mail Center*
Sutin, Thayer & Browne, P.C.
Thomas Wolinski~
Principals ($500-$999)
Meghan Armstrong*
David Bernstein and Erika Rimson
Wally Book
Classical KHFM (95.5)*
The Daily Grind
Anthony (Tony) Girard, in loving memory of Valerie Girard
Green Jeans Farmery
Emily and Aarand Harmon-Pierce
Jewish Federation of New Mexico
KidPower Therapy Associates PC
Lone Sun Builders
Julia Maccini
Michael McCall
Beth Mohr and Janet McHard
Virginia Molina
Manuel Montoya~
Doug Moore, in memory of Mom Millie Moore, a lover of dance and musical movies and theatre
New Mexico Bank and Trust
New Mexico Dancewear*
R&R GoForth Remodeling
Brad Raisher and Melissa Freeman
Red Rock Roasters*
Selina Sarmiento
Lindsay and Alan Shettlesworth
Stone Age Climbing Gym
Thrive Consulting
Utility Agency*
Wayward Sons Craft-Distillery*
Ensemble Members ($100-$499)
Harold and Carole Albert
Elisha and Kashia Allen
Cynthia Allison and Cari Kerkhoff
Amazon Smile
American Online Giving Foundation
Anonymous (4)
Penina Ballen
Stanley and Judith Bechtol
Cristian and Elvine Bologa
Burt & Company CPAs, LLC
Car Crafters, Inc.
Carroll Strategies
Frances Chance
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Roy Courtright
Carolyn Dorfman
Karleen Dunkin*
Sarah Egelman and Daniel Clark~
Joan Eilers, in honor of Laurel Deans
John and Carol Feldman
Heather Garcia in honor of her Aunt Colleen Grathwol
Kathryn Fleddermann*
Garcia’s Kitchen*
V and Roy Goforth~
Sen. Roberto & Mrs. Charlene Gonzales, in honor of Sarah Gonzales
Jim and Ann Gosack
Colleen Grathwol and Scott Ferguson
Tom Greenbaum
Andy Greenberg and Alex Wellins, in memory of Philip Greenberg
Barbara Greenberg
Bianca Harle and Robert Love
Jennifer and Lawrence Herrera
Ari and Sean Herring
Matthew Hess~
Tobias Hoellrich
Andrew Hsi
Toni Hubbert
Bob Hume
Lauren and Justin Hyde
Intel Foundation
Vanessa Jacobsohn and Edgar Solis
Rita James and Brian Reinhardt*
Joyce Jaramillo
Matt Jones
Norty and Summers Kalishman
Shelley and Herb Koffler
Granberg Law
Ana and Cesar Lopes Arechiga
Michael Maccini and Barbara Koenig
Mary Mackie
Douglas Madison
Alice Maechtlen
Tamra Mason
John McCorkell and Diane Cress
Christine and Nicholas Moore
Andie Mungle
Jennie Negin and Harold Folley
Laura Nitsos
Theresa Palmer and Kurt Christopher~
Janice and Stuart Paster
Elisa Paster
PayDay HCM
Deborah Peacock and Nate Korn
Karen Pound
PTI Electrical Contractors
Regina Chavez Puccetti and Daniel Puccetti
Sarah Resnik
Carmela Romero
Robert Rosenberg and Jane Wishner
Jane and Russell Resnik
Arlene Safier
Ronna Schelby
Erlinda Sedillo and Isaac Chavez
Lisa Seifert Weigelt
Vanessa Shackleford
Mary Ellen and Ron Shettlesworth
Sign & Image Factory, LLC*
Lisa Smith
Alexandra and Robert Smith
Dr. James and Joanne Smith
Kristi Standoli
Mark and Donia Steele
Sunny 505
Terry Swack and Louis Weitzman
Carolyn J. and Matthew Tobias~
Token Ibis
Adrian Moore Trask and Nathaniel Trask~
Tami Trask
Daniel and Ovidiu Viorica and Rebecca Hartley
VMWare Foundation
The Honorable Marie Ward
Wayne Weigelt
Whitener Law Firm P.A.
Cal & Mo Taylor Wright
Judith Yandoh
Stagehands ($1-$99)
Effie Abrams
Anonymous (6)*
Dora Bayliss
Sarah Bennett*
BFS Propane*
Caul Blakley
Debbie Boggus
Sonia Bologa
Lynne Bombach
Lorie Brau
Merna Brostoff
Emily Bryant
Jess Calero
Layne Campbell Rincon
Lindsay Chambers, in loving memory of Margaret (Peggy) Bennett
Lisa Chaney
Bradford Chin
Harry and Terry Cohen
Donald Cole, in honor of Kristie Brown
Brian S. and Aleli Colon
Pam Colton
Susan and Randy Cooper
Virgil Coriz
Phil and Krys Custer
Kim DeLeon
Barbara Egelman
Kenney Elkomous
Danielle Estabrook
Abraham and Linda Ettedgui, in honor of Shira Greenberg
Sebrena Figueroa
Bette Fleishman
Cynthia Florence
Dovya Friedman and George Hausner
Renai Gallagher
Dov Gartenberg
Sadie Gelb
Spencer Gerwin
Cheryl Gibson
Don Gibson
Joyce Goetz, in memory of Margaret (Peggy) Bennett
Ellen and Harley Greenberg
Gina Heise
Kristy Hinsch
Martha Hughes
Jesse and Trista Jackson
Lori Jameson
Neil Kaminsky
Christi Kemprecos
Linda King
Kroger
Karin Lawton
Michael Layton
Becky Lee
Donna Lisotto, in honor of Olivia Warner-Love
Melodi Maker
Sandra Marroquin-Evans and Marc Evans
Virginia Marshall
Sharon Mason
Zoe Mattioli
Margaret Maynard
Eric Mazzie
Kathy McClendon
Melissa McCue
Shannon McKigney
Paul McKinney
Clayton Meredith and Mary Cianflone
Joan Miller
Allison Muenzer
Barbara Myers
P. Myers
Faye Nitcznski
Luis Oaxaca and Maria Diaz
Evelyn Okamoto
Chanty Oun
Janice Palmer
Angela Payne-Martinez
Nina Plevin
Burt and Shirley Politz
Miranda Portillo
Nataley Quintana
Terra Reed
Edward Ripp
Margaret Roberts, in honor of Sage and Rachel Templeton
Johannah Saavedra
Fred Samia*
Skip Sayre
Erika Schelby
Larry Sklar and Alison Franks
Ethel Smith
Nancy Smith, in memory of Bert Getzug
Rebecca Smith
Ana Stanley*
Herbert Strassberg
Abe and Sandra Tapia
Sheriden Thomas
Kristine Tollestrup
Howard Tomar and Judith Smith
Alissa and Mathew Trujillo
Janine Tursini, in honor of Adrian Moore Trask’s commitment to the arts!
Kenn Watt
Western New Mexico University*
Dorotha Wheeler
Hugh and Barbara Witemeyer
Map and Directions
Map and Directions
4121 Cutler Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (link to Google Maps)
Cutler is just north of Indian School / just south of Menaul
The cross streets are Morningside and Cutler (Keshet Center for the Arts is on the north side of Cutler, just west of Morningside) Morningside is just west of Washington
If you are heading East on I-40 Take the San Mateo exit and drive briefly north (L) on San Mateo. Turn to the west (L) on Cutler – the first street north of the freeway. Continue on Cutler past Washington, and continue just past Morningside, Keshet Center for the Arts will be on your right.
If you are heading West on I-40 Take the San Mateo exit and continue straight…you are already on Cutler! Continue heading this direction (west) on Cutler past Washington, to Morningside. Keshet Center for the Arts will be on your right.
Awards/Honors and Milestones
Awards/Honors & Milestones
2020
With support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Keshet launches the Arts and Justice Network.
Keshet Dance & Center for the Arts was voted the Best Local Nonprofit Brand, by finalist selection through the American Marketing Assoication and then through community votes with the B2B Expo NM.
2018
Keshet Center for the Arts became one of a handful of Choreographic Centers in the nation, and the only of it’s kind to include arts entrepreneur business training in our Makers Space Experience. Ten choreographers from across the USA (arriving in two cohorts) spent 10 days at Keshet Center for the Arts with access to daily rehearsal space, technique classes, business training, and peer support as they developed new work.
Shira Greenberg is one of the first recipients of Women & Creativity’s The Shine Award. The Shine Awards elevate and celebrate the efforts and impact of our community’s women and their contributions to the arts, creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership, and shared vision. Shira was recognized for her commitment to the innovative idea that “dance is for everyone,” which has transformed Albuquerque’s community, creative economy, and the field of dance through the creation of Keshet Dance & Center for the Arts.
Keshet Dance receives the 2018 MINDBODY Visionary Award for being a business that supports our community and makes a positive impact on every person who comes through your doors, honored at the 2018 BOLD conference in San Diego, California.
2017
Keshet formally launches the Keshet International Dance Festival with Navarasa Dance Theater’s (India/Boston/LA) world premiere of Snake and Ladder.
With support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Keshet launches the first “Keshet Fellowship for Contemporary Dance” with inaugural Fellow, Silva Laukkanen from Austin, TX.
2016
The 20th annual, and finale run of Nutcracker on the Rocks, is presented at the Keshet Center for the Arts with a 26 show run including beautiful cameo appearances from past cast members over the past 20 years.
Shira Greenberg is a recipient of the 2016 Roslyn S. Jaffe Award, supporting everyday heroes who are making a meaningful impact in communities across the U.S., specifically in the areas of health, education, and social reform.
Keshet presents the Rio Grande Movement Collectors Festival, which is the seed that grows the Makers Space Experience at the Keshet Center for the Arts.
Keshet hosts the first Southwest/Mountain States Regional Convening on Adaptive/Inclusive Dance – co-presented by AXIS Dance Company and facilitated by AXIS’s Founder and Director Judith Smith, with performances by DanceAbility and master classes by DanceAbility Founder, Alito Alessi.
2015
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation provides Keshet with seed money to codify the M3 curriculum and launch programming in five pilot communities throughout the U.S. forging partnerships between local dance professionals and the local juvenile justice system of each pilot community.
2014
Shira Greenberg is one of five women nationally to be awarded Traditional Home Magazine’s 2014 Classic Woman Award, recognizing extraordinary women who have made a difference in the lives of their communities.
2013
Keshet provides the rights to Nutcracker on the Rocks to Cohesion Dance Project (Helena, MT), and Cohesion premieres its first annual “Shira Greenberg’s Nutcracker on the Rocks” over Thanksgiving weekend.
Keshet is selected as the first place photo winner in TechSoup’s Digital Storytelling Contest.
Keshet closes on the property at 4121 Cutler Ave NE in January, and in August moves in, transforming the former soundstage and adjoining warehouse into the Keshet Center for the Arts.
2012
Keshet is awarded $1,000,000 from the US Department of Economic Development for the creation of the Keshet Ideas and Innovation Center at the Keshet Center for the Arts.
Romania’s Ministry of Culture brings Keshet’s Artistic Director to Bucharest to speak with government officials and arts leaders regarding Keshet’s unique arts initiatives and the creation of the Keshet Center for the Arts.
Keshet becomes an ambassador for City of Albuquerque’s Sister Cities Program, building arts and culture relationships with Rehovot, Israel.
2011
Shira Greenberg, Keshet’s Founder and Artistic Director, is recognized as a Top-Performing CEO by New Mexico Business Weekly, honoring CEOs whose leadership has a positive impact on business and communities in New Mexico.
2010
Keshet receives the Ethics in Business Award, recognizing only one non-profit organization within the state which demonstrates business excellence and the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.
2009
Keshet is nationally recognized as one of 15 youth arts and humanities programs to receive the prestigious 2009 Coming Up Taller Award for its work with incarcerated youth at the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center (YDDC). The award is presented by the First Lady, Michelle Obama, at the White House.
Shira Greenberg, Keshet’s Founder and Artistic Director, receives the Governor’s Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women, recognizing 20 women within the State who have made exceptional contributions and achievements in improving the status of women in New Mexico.
Shira Greenberg receives the New Mexico Business Weekly’s Women of Influence Award, celebrating women who have made a difference in the community, blazed a trail and left a mark on New Mexico business.
2007
The New Mexico State Legislature passes House Memorial 107 “to commend Keshet Dance Company on its dance programs, its educational and social curricula and its provision of mentorship relationships for incarcerated and paroled youth, all aimed at reducing juvenile recidivism rates.”
2006
Keshet becomes one of only a handful of dance companies within the country to offer full-time employment and benefits to professional dancers and staff. [Only 5% -9% of dance companies in major metropolitan areas are able to pay salaries to their dancers – Dance/USA]Shira Greenberg is named one of New Mexico Business Weekly’s 40 Under Forty, recognizing 40 professionals under the age of 40 in the State of New Mexico who “stand out in their fields and are engaged in their communities making New Mexico a better place to live.”
2005
Keshet is awarded the New Mexico Women’s Forum LEAP Award (Leadership, Empowerment and Advocacy Program), presented to only one non-profit organization within the State of New Mexico annually.
2002
Keshet is one of only two recognized programs nationwide by the Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit Innovation for innovative programming – “creating a new dimension of performance and changing people’s lives.”
January 25 (FBG) – Keshet Board and Staff is restructured to insure a focus on mission and programming.
2001
Keshet is awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Keep the Dream Alive Award by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Multicultural Council, Inc. for “creating an environment where the medium of dance is used to build cross-cultural and social bridges to every aspect of society.”
2000
Keshet receives the Albuquerque Arts Alliance’s Bravo Award for Excellence in Dance, determined by public nomination and peer review.
Keshet moves to 214 Coal, which will become its home for the next 13 years.
Keshet receives the National Bravo Network’s “2000 Smart Start – National Arts in Education Award,” awarded by the Bravo Network to only four arts organizations within the United States.
1998
The “Keshet Center for the Arts” business plan is written, mapping the future plans for the organization.
1997
Shira Greenberg discovers the 214 Coal property for lease and begins bugging the realtor, which will continue for the next 3 ½ years, until Keshet finally gets to move into that property.
Keshet premieres Shira Greenberg’s Nutcracker on the Rocks at Rodey Theater, with a dedicated cast of 13 dancers, some crazy crew members, and a whole lot of shenanigans.
Land Acknowledgement
:
Land Acknowledgement
At Keshet, we believe that one of the roles of the arts is to make visible that which others have tried to make invisible. We also believe that it is not the responsibility of those whom others have attempted to make invisible to remind us that they are still here.
Therefore, as a committed ally and as artists, Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts wishes to acknowledge and recognize the Indigenous people and place where we stand, and the traditional, contemporary, and future lands of the Pueblo, Ancestral Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and other Indigenous peoples who have had, and will have, a presence in New Mexico and who have in the past, and will in the future, travel this land.
We give gratitude to the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.
We pay our respects and honor their ancestors past, present, and future, and recognize their continued existence and contributions to our society.
We would also like to acknowledge the many peoples who did not arrive on this land by choice. We welcome everyone, however you arrived here, in this space, today and always.
Please take a moment to honor these ancestral grounds, to reflect on the complicated history of these lands which we gather on today, and to celebrate the resilience and strength of the peoples of these lands.
Thank you to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Tricklock Company, and the New England Foundation for the Arts / National Dance Project for their contributions to the development of this statement.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Keshet Center for the Arts
4121 Cutler Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505.224.9808 / info@KeshetArts.org
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