Raison D'etre, our mission, or "reason for being"
Xclaim brings art and vitality through the creation of meaningful innovative dance, inspiring artistic education and effective community outreach.
Xclaim brings art and vitality through the creation of meaningful innovative dance, inspiring artistic education and effective community outreach.
A contemporary dance ensemble and fine arts school
Xclaim began as a part-time professional dance ensemble, and 12 years later officially adopted Charisma Centre for the Arts, the well-established (1985) fine arts school that gave Xclaim it's foundation. The motivation behind the creation of Xclaim is the lifelong dream of Mariah Layne French "to change the world using the art of dance as the primary tool." This is no small dream, nor is it a trite statement. The organization was carefully organized through prayerful planning and advanced education over a period of two decades.
Xclaim was chartered in the fall of 2007 (receiving it's official 501(c) 3 not-for-profit status in 2010.
A faith based initiative, Xclaim shares artistic resources and physical capabilities with those in need, making excellence in the arts accessible to today's emerging culture. With the groundwork laid and the diverse and specialized team assembled, Xclaim Dance Company emerged with a 2008 Debut. The Columbus Dispatch called Xclaim's work "Big ... bold ... infectiously upbeat ... spirited ... strong choreography".
Meaningful Innovative Dance
Xclaim produces eclectic captivating dance, fusing many styles to create works that are accessible to diverse audiences. Choreography emphasizes musicality and rhythm while exploring topics at the core of human existence, tapping a wide range of emotion. We aspire to create dance movement that moves people far beyond their seats. >>THE COMPANY
Inspiring Artistic Education
Xclaim impacts emerging generations by facilitating mentorship and ongoing training in the arts, creating alternatives for at-risk young people, sharing the powerful healing capacity of movement and the arts with individuals of all ages, empowering families, and strengthening society. We believe the arts are a catalyst for strong character development, significance in society, and nurturing the whole person. We are a creative compassionate community with faith at the foreground. Xclaim inspires excellence at the heart of the artist. >>THE SCHOOL
Effective Community Outreach
We are passionate about sharing artistic resources and physical capabilities with those in need through compassion driven service projects, artistic educational workshops, and compelling insightful choreography. We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to experience quality professional art and a life full of vitality. We are committed to being a group of artists that gives back to communities in tangible life-sustaining ways.
History of performance & outreach:
Since our opening season Xclaim Dance Company has performed over 60 original works in many diverse venues including Xclaim's own productions Xtra! (2008), Hands and Feet (2009), Red Light Red Letter- Dances of Redemption (2010 / 2011), Elemental (2011), Soul of the City (2012), Xclaim on Ice (2012), Ethereal (2013 / 2014), BLUE (2014), 5-6-7-8 (2015), Dancity-Doo & Storytime Too (2016), Fanciful Danciful (2016 / 2017), Spirituals (2017), Light, Sound & Brainwaves (2018), Tilt & Turn (2018), Dance Dance Dance (2019) TECHNICOLOR (2019), Spirituals II (2020), Feel It (2021) and FREQUENCY (2022). The company has also participated in the Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus Dances series, City Dance Showcase, 60x60 produced by New York based Vox Novus, Wild Goose Creative's Third Thursdays, Collaborations with local companies and artists CoMo Dance and Hixon Dance, as well as performance at Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility. Xclaim has also participated in large scale community outreach with former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman's initiative Neighborhood Pride and through mentorship with Franklin County Children's Services, performances for the Northland Community, and outreach work with immigrant youth through collaboration with Praise Chapel International. Xclaim continues to make a difference in the lives of many people, through the creation and performance of meaningful innovative dance, and real community outreach and interaction.
>> More about our History
>> Our Trustees
Xclaim was chartered in the fall of 2007 (receiving it's official 501(c) 3 not-for-profit status in 2010.
A faith based initiative, Xclaim shares artistic resources and physical capabilities with those in need, making excellence in the arts accessible to today's emerging culture. With the groundwork laid and the diverse and specialized team assembled, Xclaim Dance Company emerged with a 2008 Debut. The Columbus Dispatch called Xclaim's work "Big ... bold ... infectiously upbeat ... spirited ... strong choreography".
Meaningful Innovative Dance
Xclaim produces eclectic captivating dance, fusing many styles to create works that are accessible to diverse audiences. Choreography emphasizes musicality and rhythm while exploring topics at the core of human existence, tapping a wide range of emotion. We aspire to create dance movement that moves people far beyond their seats. >>THE COMPANY
Inspiring Artistic Education
Xclaim impacts emerging generations by facilitating mentorship and ongoing training in the arts, creating alternatives for at-risk young people, sharing the powerful healing capacity of movement and the arts with individuals of all ages, empowering families, and strengthening society. We believe the arts are a catalyst for strong character development, significance in society, and nurturing the whole person. We are a creative compassionate community with faith at the foreground. Xclaim inspires excellence at the heart of the artist. >>THE SCHOOL
Effective Community Outreach
We are passionate about sharing artistic resources and physical capabilities with those in need through compassion driven service projects, artistic educational workshops, and compelling insightful choreography. We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to experience quality professional art and a life full of vitality. We are committed to being a group of artists that gives back to communities in tangible life-sustaining ways.
History of performance & outreach:
Since our opening season Xclaim Dance Company has performed over 60 original works in many diverse venues including Xclaim's own productions Xtra! (2008), Hands and Feet (2009), Red Light Red Letter- Dances of Redemption (2010 / 2011), Elemental (2011), Soul of the City (2012), Xclaim on Ice (2012), Ethereal (2013 / 2014), BLUE (2014), 5-6-7-8 (2015), Dancity-Doo & Storytime Too (2016), Fanciful Danciful (2016 / 2017), Spirituals (2017), Light, Sound & Brainwaves (2018), Tilt & Turn (2018), Dance Dance Dance (2019) TECHNICOLOR (2019), Spirituals II (2020), Feel It (2021) and FREQUENCY (2022). The company has also participated in the Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus Dances series, City Dance Showcase, 60x60 produced by New York based Vox Novus, Wild Goose Creative's Third Thursdays, Collaborations with local companies and artists CoMo Dance and Hixon Dance, as well as performance at Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility. Xclaim has also participated in large scale community outreach with former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman's initiative Neighborhood Pride and through mentorship with Franklin County Children's Services, performances for the Northland Community, and outreach work with immigrant youth through collaboration with Praise Chapel International. Xclaim continues to make a difference in the lives of many people, through the creation and performance of meaningful innovative dance, and real community outreach and interaction.
>> More about our History
>> Our Trustees
