You chose to provide a short written description (up to 300 words) explaining how your organization makes an impact in the community.The Arizona Dance Education Organization (AzDEO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit uniquely positioned to elevate Arizona’s communities through the transformative power of movement. As the only Arizona-based organization dedicated solely to supporting dance teachers, we directly influence the quality of arts education available to our state’s youth. Our robust 300+ member database serves as a vital network, connecting public, charter, private, and studio educators with the resources, training, and community they need to thrive.
By empowering these educators, AzDEO’s impact ripples directly into the lives of Arizona’s children and youth. This alignment matches the core focus of the Arizona Financial Foundation's Local Causes program, which champions education, equity, and community services. We do more than just support local classrooms; we actively shape state and national dance education policy and standards, ensuring dance remains an accessible, high-quality, and equitable core academic subject for all students.
Our flagship program, the Arizona All-State Dance Festival, brings this collaborative spirit to life. This landmark event serves over 550 middle and high school students from across the state, offering masterclasses, college exposure, and artistic collaboration. It also features the prestigious Arizona All-State Dance Ensemble, an audition-based honor program celebrating the state's most dedicated high school dancers.
To foster lifelong learning and celebrate educational excellence, we reinvest in our community through student choreography competitions, educator scholarships, and by hosting the state's premier Katherine Lindholm Lane Arizona Dance Teacher of the Year Award. A Local Causes grant will help AzDEO expand student access to these vital programs, ensuring every Arizona child has a safe, supportive space to grow, create, and lead.
Social media handlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AzDEO4All
Instagram: az.deo