The technology piece is a lesson from the pandemic — one that many arts organizations explored over the past year as artists discovered how they can expand their outreach and innovate with online and streaming tools.
Architect James McFadden, whose projects include rehabilitation of the Machinery Row building on Williamson Street, has embraced that concept, by designing Kanopy’s main dance studio to be soundproof (there are apartments above), adding high-tech track lighting and, of course, large video monitors.
The $115,000 renovation is being supported by a $50,000 capital campaign, Voeltz said. Donors who give $450 or more at kanopydance.org/support will have their names displayed on a donor wall in the lobby.
Virtual doors
Kanopy plans to hold its summer dance workshops both in person and online, and hopes to return to the live stage in late 2021 with its “Winter Fantasia” (last year’s “Winter Fantasia” was presented online).
But currently, all of its classes are being taught virtually.
And that has opened the door to film projects, live online performances and long-distance collaborations with instructors — who didn’t have to travel to share their knowledge with Kanopy dancers.