Footloose is an arts-presenting and producing organization that also creates and develops work in collaboration with artists from all fields of the performing arts, especially emerging and established women artists. The company provides resources and a home base for women to develop their work from initial through exhibition stages of the production process in order to promote their professional careers. Footloose was founded in 1972 by Irini Nadel and in 1982, Mary Alice Fry was appointed Artistic Director. In 1990, Footloose found a home in the Mission and named it Shotwell Studios and in 1996 opened Venue 9 in the South of Market. Venue 9 closed in May, 2004. Shotwell Studios is available to the entire arts community for rehearsals, classes and performances. See sidebar for more details on Shotwell Studios.
Footloose presents a multi-disciplinary format of theater, dance, music, comedy, film/video and multi-media performances. Programming includes Footloose’s own productions, collaborations, residencies, and co-presentations with other producers. Footloose is partnering with other organizations to sponsor more dance programming at Shotwell Studios and other venues. Shotwell Studios has been operated by Footloose since 1989 as a community based space. In addition to being an excellent 49-seat performance space, Shotwell is available to rent for rehearsals, auditions, classes and video shoots. Hardwood floors, mirrors, piano, sound and lighting equipment, A/C and heat, plus good natural light add to the beautiful environment. The studios are centrally located in the Mission district near Valencia Street, 16th and Mission BART and MUNI, making it accessible to one of the most thriving art communities on the west coast.
The studios are the home of The Clown School, Dancers Group and Footloose plus numerous teachers who provide instruction to everyone from children with special needs to dancers and actors. ODC School has taken up residence this year while their new building is under construction one block away and Footloose has been developing long-term relationships with other companies.
Solid venues like this in the arts ecology are essential to the growth of emerging artists. Artists developing material at Shotwell are considered for Footloose’s variety of programming here and at other venues. In addition, artists participating in Footloose productions such as Women’s Work and the annual Women on the Way Festival are offered free rehearsal space. Now that Venue 9 has closed, Footloose is committed to improving Shotwell, elevating the quality of performances to enhance the artists’ reputations and make the experience more rewarding and comfortable for performers and patrons alike.
Footloose is funded in part by grants from the Zellerbach Family Fund, the W. & F. Hewlett Foundation, the W.A. Gerbode Foundation, Grants for the Arts, San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission Grants Program and generous individuals.
Footloose presents a multi-disciplinary format of theater, dance, music, comedy, film/video and multi-media performances. Programming includes Footloose’s own productions, collaborations, residencies, and co-presentations with other producers. Footloose is partnering with other organizations to sponsor more dance programming at Shotwell Studios and other venues. Shotwell Studios has been operated by Footloose since 1989 as a community based space. In addition to being an excellent 49-seat performance space, Shotwell is available to rent for rehearsals, auditions, classes and video shoots. Hardwood floors, mirrors, piano, sound and lighting equipment, A/C and heat, plus good natural light add to the beautiful environment. The studios are centrally located in the Mission district near Valencia Street, 16th and Mission BART and MUNI, making it accessible to one of the most thriving art communities on the west coast.
The studios are the home of The Clown School, Dancers Group and Footloose plus numerous teachers who provide instruction to everyone from children with special needs to dancers and actors. ODC School has taken up residence this year while their new building is under construction one block away and Footloose has been developing long-term relationships with other companies.
Solid venues like this in the arts ecology are essential to the growth of emerging artists. Artists developing material at Shotwell are considered for Footloose’s variety of programming here and at other venues. In addition, artists participating in Footloose productions such as Women’s Work and the annual Women on the Way Festival are offered free rehearsal space. Now that Venue 9 has closed, Footloose is committed to improving Shotwell, elevating the quality of performances to enhance the artists’ reputations and make the experience more rewarding and comfortable for performers and patrons alike.
Footloose is funded in part by grants from the Zellerbach Family Fund, the W. & F. Hewlett Foundation, the W.A. Gerbode Foundation, Grants for the Arts, San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission Grants Program and generous individuals.