VELOCITY DANCE CENTER’s STRATEGIC PLAN
2026-2030
Ensuring that dance remains a vibrant and accessible part of Seattle’s cultural landscape
VELOCITY DANCE CENTER’s STRATEGIC PLAN
2026-2030
OUR PLANNING PROCESS
In 2025, Velocity completed a year-long strategic planning process to guide our work through 2030, collaborating with artists, board members, staff, and community members.
Our Artist Circle shaped program goals and defined impact, staff contributed operational and programmatic knowledge, and our Board and Strategic Planning Committee set organizational priorities. A public Town Hall and community survey provided insight into what people value about Velocity and what they want to see next.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
Velocity has provided mentorship in the non-linear ways that dance careers grow. I feel held by Velocity in ways I didn’t know I needed.
Velocity has created generations of artists and makers in Seattle. A space is the gravity to bring future generations together.
More opportunities supporting long-form, deeply researched work!!!
From my perspective, the most engaging work that I have seen Velocity produce is when it has fully invested in local artists and helped to uplift their work. This allows for deeper engagement, larger community buy-in, and stronger financial support for an artist’s vision.
Why Velocity Needs to Grow
Seattle’s dance community is thriving, but both artists and Velocity face growing challenges: rising costs, shifting funding landscapes, and systemic inequities that shape who can create and share work. At the same time, enormous opportunities exist. Our shows and classes are sold out, artists are applying to our programs at record levels, and our community is eager to create, connect, and invest.
To meet this moment, Velocity must expand programs, deepen support for artists, and strengthen our long-term sustainability, ensuring that dance remains a vibrant and accessible part of Seattle’s cultural landscape.
The Bridge Project invested in my vision at a career stage when most organizations would have said no, which is essential to future opportunities.
A permanent home allows the organization to deepen its roots and expand its ability to deliver incredible performance and training.
Dance is a physical practice—consistent access to studio space is critical. Low-stakes rehearsal time is especially necessary for the development of new work.
Key Priorities
Impact More Artists
- Increase resources for Seattle dance-making. Stronger support leads to stronger work and more sustainable artists.
- Expand performance, residency, and incubator opportunities.
Create More Opportunities to See and Participate in Dance
- Grow audience and participant engagement.
- Offer workshops, classes, and public performances that are accessible and engaging.
Invest in a Permanent Home & Sustainable Operations
- Secure a stable, long-term studio and office space.
- Strengthen organizational capacity to support artists and programs.
Key Priorities
Impact More Artists
- Increase resources for Seattle dance-making. Stronger support leads to stronger work and more sustainable artists.
- Expand performance, residency, and incubator opportunities.
Create More Opportunities to See and Participate in Dance
- Grow audience and participant engagement.
- Offer workshops, classes, and public performances that are accessible and engaging.
Invest in a Permanent Home & Sustainable Operations
- Secure a stable, long-term studio and office space.
- Strengthen organizational capacity to support artists and programs.
BY 2030 WE AIM TO…
Grow our Programs
- Provide opportunities for 50% more artists.
- Increase artist fees, including cost-of-living adjustments and larger increases for incubator programs.
- Grow audience and participant engagement by 40% through performances, classes, and events.
Build our Capacity
- Expand staff by 1.5 full-time employees and increase compensation to meet local non-profit wage standards.
- Grow contributed and earned income by ~7% annually, diversifying revenue through rentals and classes once a permanent space is established.
- Increase operational budget to $1.2M.
Secure a home
- Establish a long-term creative and operational home with permanent, sustainable studio space.
As we start our first year of implementation, these early plans will develop into more detailed milestones, timelines, budgeting projections, and the start of a structured capital campaign for growth. Check back for more information as these are developed, and please reach out if you would like get involved or to talk about anything in more depth.
BY 2030 WE AIM TO…
Grow our Programs
- Provide opportunities for 50% more artists.
- Increase artist fees, including cost-of-living adjustments and larger increases for incubator programs.
- Grow audience and participant engagement by 40% through performances, classes, and events.
Build our Capacity
- Expand staff by 1.5 full-time employees and increase compensation to meet local non-profit wage standards.
- Grow contributed and earned income by ~7% annually, diversifying revenue through rentals and classes once a permanent space is established.
- Increase operational budget to $1.2M.
Secure a home
- Establish a long-term creative and operational home with permanent, sustainable studio space.
As we start our first year of implementation, these early plans will develop into more detailed milestones, timelines, budgeting projections, and the start of a structured capital campaign for growth. Check back for more information as these are developed, and please reach out if you would like get involved or to talk about anything in more depth.
How You Can Be Part of It
Velocity exists because of the artists, audience members, and dreamers who have shaped it over three decades. This plan is a roadmap for the next five years—and we invite you to join us:
-
Attend a performance or class, and bring a friend! We need your help growing our audience!
-
Contact us to share your ideas and feedback.
- Join our Board or our Capital Campaign Committee.
-
Give to our ongoing programming, or let us know how you would like to support our search for a home.
How You Can Be Part of It
Velocity exists because of the artists, audience members, and dreamers who have shaped it over three decades. This plan is a roadmap for the next five years—and we invite you to join us:
-
Attend a performance or class, and bring a friend! We need your help growing our audience!
-
Contact us to share your ideas and feedback.
- Join our Board or our Capital Campaign Committee.
-
Give to our ongoing programming, or let us know how you would like to support our search for a home.