2025 Dance Exchange
OAC Climate Institute
Institute Dates: October 9-12, 2025
Registration Opens July 30, 2025
Registration Deadline: September 12, 2025
Dance Exchange’s 2025 OAC Climate Institute will focus on the role of artmaking and creative engagement within the climate movement. Join movers, makers, artists, and leaders from across the country to explore, energize, and advance creative solutions for a life-giving future in the face of the climate crisis. As part of our Organizing with Artists for Change Initiative (OAC), the 2025 OAC Climate Institute will celebrate process and performance, dialogue and dancemaking, and the role of artists as changemakers.
No matter where you are on your creative or climate journey, the Institute will create a range of opportunities for you to:
Experience and help develop new tools and strategies for creative engagement around climate issues that you can take into your own work and communities
Build connections with others working at the intersection of artmaking and climate locally, nationally, and internationally
Deepen your understanding of what you have to offer to our shared work of shaping a just and life-giving future in the face of the climate crisis
The 2025 OAC Climate Institute will include:
Morning movement classes that ground us in our bodies and the community.
Workshops that explore creative tools and practices for supporting climate education, building community across generations, cultural experiences, and disciplines, and engaging with existing and emerging climate solutions in creative, embodied ways.
Reflection sessions that support you in integrating your explorations and discoveries and creating a vision for how you’ll carry your experience forward into your own life, work, and community.
Registration Process
We invite a community of artists, climate workers, and community members who bring a diversity of lived experiences, geographic locations, disciplines, and connections to the climate movement to register for this year’s Institute.
As part of the registration process, participants will complete a form that includes tuition payment and space to share access needs and emergency contact information. Once registered, participants will receive additional details about the Institute—including travel and housing recommendations, what to pack, and resources to explore in advance.
Video Registration Option:
To support greater accessibility, individuals may choose to submit their registration information via video rather than a written form. This option is available for those who may find written communication challenging due to language barriers, disabilities, or other reasons. The video should address all questions included in the registration form. Please see the registration form for guidance on submitting a video.
Schedule
Schedule subject to change.
Thursday
6:00 - 8:00pm: Institute Kick Off and Orientation
Friday
10:00 - 10:45am: Morning Movement Class
10:45 - 11:00am: Break
11:00am - 1:00pm: Creative Tools and Practices Workshop
1:00 - 2:30pm: Lunch
2:30 - 5:00pm: Creative Tools and Practices Workshop
Saturday
10:00 - 10:45am: Morning Movement Class
10:45 - 11:00am: Break
11:00am - 1:00pm: Creative Tools and Practices Workshop
1:00 - 3:00pm: Lunch
3:00 - 4:00pm: Creative Tools and Practices Workshop
4:00-5:30pm: Takoma Arts Exchange (Public Event)
Climate Walk: Movements for Climate and Community Resilience
Sunday
10:00 - 10:45am: Morning Movement Class
10:45 - 11:00am: Break
11:00am - 1:00pm: Creative Tools and Practices Workshop
1:00 - 2:30pm: Lunch
2:30 - 4:30pm: Closing Session
Tuition & Sliding Scale
Dance Exchange is committed to making the Climate Institute accessible while honoring the true costs of this work. We offer a sliding scale to support equity and community care. Please choose the rate that feels most appropriate for your circumstances.
Please note: Tuition does not cover travel, housing, or meals during the Institute.
$450 – Pay-it-Forward Rate
This rate helps cover your participation and supports scholarships for others. If you are able to contribute at this level, you help make the Institute more accessible for all.$400 – Standard Rate (True Cost)
This reflects the actual cost of running the Institute. Choosing this rate helps us sustain the full scope of the program.$350 – Supported Rate
This reduced rate is available for those who need it. We invite you to select this option if the standard rate presents a barrier to participation.
If cost remains a barrier even at the supported rate, we encourage you to reach out—we’re actively working to increase access and may have additional scholarships available. We also welcome inquiries about work-study opportunities, which can offer a reduced tuition rate in exchange for helping support aspects of the Institute.
Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available. Please indicate in your application that you would like to be considered for a scholarship. Registration deadline for scholarship applications is September 1, 2025.
Work Exchange: Dance Exchange is excited to offer two Work Exchange opportunities during this year's Climate Institute. Registration deadline for Work Exchange applications is September 1, 2025.
The Communications Work Exchange will involve offering remote support with various marketing and communications tasks leading up to, during, and immediately after the 2025 OAC Climate Institute. This role will also include documentation of the Institute and an opportunity to work closely with the Dance Exchange Communications and Facilitation team in professional development and skill-building.
The Production Work Exchange will involve offering on-the-ground support with various Institute setup, tear down, check-in and registration, equipment and materials, and other tasks in relation to the producing of the Climate Institute itself. This role is a great professional development opportunity to work closely with Dance Exchange’s Creative Producer and gain skills in the production of creative community engagements.
The two individuals who fulfill these Work Exchange positions will receive full or partial tuition coverage in exchange for their support. More details provided upon onboarding. Please indicate in your application that you would like to be considered for Work Exchange.
Refund Policy: If you are unable to attend after paying in full, your payment can be credited to a future Organizing with Artists for Change Institute within one calendar year. Please email registration@danceexchange.org.
Health and Wellness Protocols
Dance Exchange is committed to supporting the health and well-being of everyone who enters our Community & Creative Hub. We follow the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health and Montgomery County and implement ongoing wellness practices to reduce the risk of spreading respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and colds.
If you are sick, please stay home.
All guests and renters entering the building must be in good health with:
Temperatures below 100.4 degree Fahrenheit
No symptoms of illness including coughing, sneezing, or fatigue
No one in their household is currently ill or testing positive for COVID-19
All renters and guests must not have tested positive for COVID-19 for the past 5 days.
Face coverings are welcome in common areas.
Individuals may choose to wear a mask in common areas such as lobbies, restrooms, and hallways based on their comfort level.
Dance Exchange provides face coverings which are located in baskets within each studio.
Masks should fit snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin. Please avoid face coverings with valves or using only a face shield.
Accessibility at the Institute
Dance Exchange aims to make our programming as accessible as possible. We are available to be in conversation around any access needs you may have, and how we can make it possible for you to participate in meaningful ways. Please reach out to us at registration@danceexchange.org or (301) 270-6700 x5.
Questions?
Contact stephenc@danceexchange.org or (301) 270-6700 x5 with questions or for registration assistance. We look forward to gathering, moving, and making with you this summer.
