Mark DeGarmo Dance (MDD) is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates NYC communities and children; creates, performs, and disseminates original artistic and scholarly work; and promotes intercultural community through dance arts. Our vision is to enliven bodies, shift perspectives, and change lives. We believe: Creativity is a human birthright. All humans are learners who benefit from the arts and dance. Dance arts, when integrated with the daily curriculum, support the achievement of multi-dimensional excellence through public education. Founded in 1987 by dancer and scholar Mark DeGarmo, MDD provides high quality, interdisciplinary arts programming for New York City public elementary school students who live in economically challenged and under-resourced communities. Partnerships in Literacy through Dance and Creativity is MDD’s “evidence-based” seven-year interdisciplinary program that empowers elementary students to use dance, movement and creative writing as lifelong tools to fulfill their highest potential. Mark DeGarmo’s range of solo and group work has been performed locally, nationally, and internationally. New York press and audiences have heralded MDD’s dance-theater works as “brilliant” and “risk-taking” and DeGarmo as “a gladiator in various arenas.” Hailed as a national model by the National Endowment for the Arts, MDD was recognized by President Barack Obama for its commitment to New York City communities and the nation.