Of Moving Colors heads to the Capitol – Dance company stresses importance of the arts with ‘Code Red’

Of Moving Colors will perform a new piece, choreographed by LSU’s Sandra Parks, and host a mass public performance with an event called “Code Red” tomorrow at noon. The performance is part of the state Office of Cultural Development’s Culture Connection program, which celebrates 20 years of state decentralized arts funding, and is timed with the current legislative session.

More than $100,000 has been cut from arts funding over the past five years during legislative sessions. For Of Moving Colors, less state art funding means less world-class and national-scale projects.

“The funding we have received has enabled us to do some high-quality things such as bringing in guest artists and partnering with guests at a national level,” Wilson says. “The situation for arts funding right now is critical.”

The local company runs a traditional season at Manship Theatre with two to three productions a year as well as hosts an extensive outreach program with school workshops, scholarships and summer camps. However, Wilson says Wednesday’s performance isn’t just to highlight her company, but to also shed a positive light on the importance of the arts.

“A cultured state is a healthier state,” she says. “Without these enrichment programs, without a high level of culture in performing arts that can be given and shown to the members of the community, our state suffers. Its heartbeat is weaker.”