“Boulder has a pretty sophisticated understanding of the art form, unlike some communities that have no idea what aerial dance is. We’ve worked hard, but we’ve also been lucky in that we’re well-supported in our community.”
Nancy Smith is celebrating – and with good reason. As founder and artistic director of Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance, she’s propelled this grantee of the foundation’s Community Trust to notable success over the past three decades:
Today, Frequent Flyers’ education program encompasses more than 30 classes a week, a summer camp and intensives, a nine-month professional training program, a student company with more than 40 members – and a pioneering outreach program for at-risk youth (Kids Who Fly) that’s served some 8,000 young people since 2001 in collaboration with area schools and social service agencies.
And there’s more. “All told, we’ve taught more than 20,000 students the joy of dancing in the air,” says Nancy of the local nonprofit that’s operated by a small staff, and relies on a bevy of volunteers. Not to mention, Frequent Flyers’ professional performing company has won numerous awards, accolades, and honors – including a successful appearance at The Kennedy Center last year in collaboration with the Boulder Philharmonic, also a Community Foundation grantee.
Following her vision “to help people to see the world from a new perspective through experiencing the upside-down realm of aerial dance,” Nancy and Frequent Flyers® also launched an International Aerial Dance Festival 20 years ago that attracts worldwide participants. Indeed – “through sheer will and determination, and an amazing product,” as Nancy tells it – Frequent Flyers®, among the early adopters of this unique art form, has further emerged as a leader and innovator in aerial dance.
“While aerial dance is commonly associated with the circus, it actually grew out of post-modern dance,” she says. “It’s thrilling to teach people to dance and fly, and to know that we’ve impacted so many lives … helping people overcome fear, gain confidence, and learn about themselves.”
Continues Nancy, “Boulder has a pretty sophisticated understanding of the art form, unlike some communities that have no idea what aerial dance is. We’ve worked hard, but we’ve also been lucky in that we’re well-supported in our community.”
“Boulder is one of those unique places where innovation can thrive,” Nancy adds, citing Frequent Flyers’ numerous collaborations with other arts organizations and artists. “And innovation – while always a challenge – is what we do.”
That said, Nancy describes Boulder as “a funny town” in terms of charitable giving. In synch with findings from the Community Foundation’s Boulder County TRENDS Report, Nancy says “we struggle to attract corporate and individual philanthropists who would be large donors. It’s something we desperately need and feel our community has the ability to provide.”
