Ram Island Dance to Redirect its Focus

Organization to Move Into Broader Sponsorship Areas

Ram Island Dance will change its focus later this spring and channel its resources into sponsoring modern dance programs in Maine instead of being involved in the day-to-day operation of a performing dance company.

The board of directors voted to accept the new plan this week, which involves redirecting the organization's goals and purpose. Instead of providing classes or putting on productions, when the current classes end this spring, the organization will focus on bringing modern dance teachers and performers to Maine and fostering modern dance through partnerships, sponsorships, symposiums and productions, featuring artists from Maine and throughout the U.S. The organization will continue as a non-profit corporation, however, the dance company segment of Ram Island will be phased out.

"Ram Island's 33-year-history of providing and fostering modern dance in Maine has been a great asset to the state and the arts community," said Warren Swetz, the board's current president.

"So at this point the organization will continue to exist and explore ways to foster and promote modern dance, but will not continue to function as a performing dance company on a day to day basis."

Founded in 1968 by Millicent Monks of Cape Elizabeth, a patron of the arts and the primary supporter of Ram Island Dance, the organization has provided classes, performances and other programs in modern dance at a studio space at the Portland Performing Arts Center. Monks said she still plans to be involved in the organization and that she supports the new initiative.

"It's with mixed emotions that we decided to move the organization in a different direction," she said. "The challenges of running a small dance company have been very rewarding over the years and we have done a lot to bring modern dance to Maine. On the other hand, when faced with the choice of being involved in larger projects vs. the day-to-day operations, we chose to focus our energies and our resources on a broader path and basically relieve ourselves of the many obligations that productions and classes present to a small company. It just makes sense at this time in my life to redirect the organization in this way, and although I am saddened by the decision, I am also looking forward to doing new things with Ram Island in the future."

Swetz said that it would be a few months before the Ram Island board of directors could finalize any plans for the future and added that the Board was optimistic that Ram Island Dance would continue to find a way to support modern dance in Maine.

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