Nonprofit Local Motion Project Raising $45k to Stay in Alexandria
The dance and fitness studio at 2377 South Dove Street is closing May 31, and has already raised $20,000
Alexandria, VA – Sara Lavan and Kylie Murray are nearly halfway there. Their nonprofit dance studio The Local Motion Project, which conducts dance classes for adults and children, is closing May 31 unless they can raise $45,000. The project has currently raised $20,000 through early giving from the upcoming Spring2ACTion fundraiser.
“There’s a need in Alexandria for a community dance and movement arts center that offers affordable classes for all ages and abilities,” Lavan, the executive and co-artistic director of Local Motion Project, told The Zebra. “We want to continue to offer creative experiences for people of all ages. During the day, we work in public elementary schools in the city as part of our dance integration program, and all through April we’re offering $5 adult dance classes on Saturdays.”
SEE: Spring2ACTion is the Biggest Annual Fundraiser in Alexandria
Lavan is also a founder of Local Motion Studio, which is the current leaseholder at 2377 South Dove Street. Local Motion Project was founded two-and-a-half years ago and currently subleases the property. Lavan and Murray are looking to expand programming for the project’s 30 part-time dance teachers, who serve an estimated 1,000 Alexandrians annually.
MORE: Donate to The Local Motion Project Here
The funds will go toward rent, administrative and programming costs and marketing.
“We’ve doubled our programming in the last two years,” Lavan said. “We’ve established partnerships and relationships with arts groups throughout the region and we have so much that we want to bring to Alexandria, like free community movement and dance classes. We are working tirelessly to let people know who we are and how vital an organization like this is to a innovative, vibrant Alexandria.“
The Local Motion Project raised more than $4,000 from business sponsors at its dance-a-thon fundraiser on Sunday, April 7. The sponsors were:
- Bobi Bomar, Ellen Patrick and Daniela Spigai of Homes of Alexandria
- Heather Carlson of Remax Allegiance
- Fairlington Dental
- Jen Walker Team
