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The Pop-up Project in Motion

Welcome to your front-row seat to The Pop-up Project in motion. These short videos and mini-docs show what we do, how we do it, who we serve, and why it matters across schools, community centers, Studio34, and our public events.

 

Watch a few to meet our teaching artists, see students in process and performance, and get a clear feel for how your support turns into free, consistent dance education in Chattanooga.

Everyone is a Dancer

This video reflects the truth we see everyday: Dance builds connection, expression, empowerment, and belonging. And because of you, those truths reached more people than ever this year.

 

Thank you for showing up in classrooms, community centers, studios, and stages.
Thank you for helping us grow our Teaching Artist team.
Thank you for helping make access the norm and not the goal.

 

We can’t wait for 2026 for another year of dance. Another year of joy. Another year where everyone is a dancer!

The Heartbeat of Latin and Hispanic Culture 

Hispanic Heritage Month was truly one for the books! This year, we shared the vibrant rhythms and rich traditions of Latinx and Hispanic dance across Chattanooga. Dance carries history, community, and pride — and we felt it in every step we took together.

 

Thank you to our students, families, teaching artists, and community partners for making space for us to share, educate, and dance together!

Our Why

What does it mean to be a Teaching Artist?

 

For us, at its simplest definition, it means to care. To care about our students. To care about our community. To care about access to dance. To care about access to joy! 

 

We were everywhere for Summer 2025! Thank you to all of our community partners and Teaching Artists for making it happen. Thank you to all of our students for dancing with us!

SummerDance 2025

SummerDance 2025 was one for the books this year! Thank you to our 31 dancers who danced, trained, and bonded for 6 hours every day.

 

Thank you to our Teaching Artists for your wonderful work: Andrea Tankersley, Marah Bates, Ryan Roberts, Louie Marin-Howard.

 

Thank you to our Guest Teaching Artists for your work and bringing your unique gifts to our dancers: Kate Caldwell and Kofi Mawuko.

 

Thank you to our sponsors for making SummerDance 2025 possible and ensuring a unique, free experience for our dancers: The Bethlehem Center, YMCA Food and Fun Program, and Performing Arts League.

 

Lastly, thank you to our parents for their support and for helping us create an environment where our dancers can freely express themselves and grow creatively!

Teaching Artist Interviews

We showed a video getting to know more about the performing artists in addition to the Q&A as part of our teaching artist showcase, From Within. Learn a little bit more about these Teaching Artists, one of the programs they teach at, and why they continue to choose to be a part of The Pop-up Project.

From Within

From Within is our annual showcase that highlights original works from our Teaching Artists enabling them to step out of the classroom and into the spotlight. As our organization continues to grow and evolve, so does our team, work, and love for our community!

Primavera

Our 2nd annual PRIMAVERA Block Party was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated, and made it all happen. Our PRIMAVERA Block Party featured performances from 50 of our dancers from our programming, information and activities from 14 community partners and organizations, and over 200 friends, families, and supporters from our community.

 

Let’s make it even BIGGER next year!

A Hip Hop Takeover

We had the pleasure of coming in to East Side Elementary to celebrate Black History Month by teaching a Hip Hop class to all K-5th graders! There were over 600 students grooving and learning more about Hip Hop culture with lead Teaching Artist Ryan Roberts.

 

Our continuing and growing partnership with East Side Elementary is crucial for bringing dance and the arts to the Oak Grove community.

Dance Wellness

We love our ongoing partnership with the AIM Center where we bring in a rotation of Teaching Artists on-site once a week teaching dance! As part of our partnership, we also hosted Dance Wellness classes at Studio34. Dance Wellness was a free, open to the public, four class series in support of mental health recovery and wellness through dance.

 

The AIM Center is a non-profit dedicated to helping adults with serious mental illness lead fulfilling and productive lives through community, support, and resources for mental health recovery. For more info, check out their website! 

Want to Stay Connected?

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Help Support Our Mission

Consider a tax deductible donation of any amount to help further and develop our mission in the Chattanooga area.

The Pop-up Project is an equal opportunity employer and provider of services. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations.

 

We believe that difference makes our organization stronger. Our artists and audiences come from all walks of life and from a variety of backgrounds. The Pop-up Project respects, celebrates, and reflects the diversity that positively contributes to our community.

The Pop-up Project is proud to be sponsored by The footprint Foundation, The Lyndhurst Foundation, The Benwood Foundation, The Bobby Stone Foundation, Arts Build, The Tennessee Arts Commission, Humanaut, The Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Urban Story Ventures, and many other individual donors and clients.

Thank you!

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