Alice Sheppard welcomes Candace L. Feldman as Managing Director of Disability Dance Works, LLC.
A respected arts administrator and leader with more than a decade of experience producing and presenting across the United States, Feldman joins a growing team of professionals from the arts, technology, and social justice sectors working together to advance and expand the disability arts movement.
Feldman has held leadership positions as Director of Programming at UA Presents in Tucson, AZ, seven years as Producing Director of 651 ARTS in Brooklyn, NY, and a Founding Leader for the Next Generation National Arts Network, as well as roles at CBS Corporation in CA and The Juilliard School in NY. In her most recent position at the University of Arizona, Feldman programmed diverse music, dance, and theater artists, helped to double revenue, and attracted audiences diverse in age, race, and background.
Feldman earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies from Kansas State University and an MBA from the University of Arizona. She is deeply immersed in the performing arts field, and has served on numerous boards, committees, and funding panels including Theater Communications Group, South Arts Performing Arts Exchange, New England Foundation for the Arts, Arizona Arts Commission, and many others. In 2017 she traveled to Ukraine as an artistic advisor for the U.S. Department of State’s Center Stage program. Center Stage is a groundbreaking cultural diplomacy initiative that connects foreign artists with American communities through the performing arts and brings international performing artists to tour throughout the U.S. through the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with New England Foundation for the Arts.
After two and a half years with UA Presents, Feldman resigned citing racial discrimination, inequitable pay, and retaliation. Upon leaving the University of Arizona, she has become a figure of advocacy toward dismantling institutional racism in higher education and the performing arts.
“After leaving the University of Arizona, I was at a place in my life where I did not know if I would continue with a career in the performing arts. I was feeling frustrated and disturbed that even in our own field of artists, activists, and truth-tellers, that me and my people are still not fully seen, treated, or compensated as equal, valuable contributors,” commented Feldman. “But then I met Alice. When we talked, she shared the road she has been so selflessly pursuing, as a Black Woman, Artist, Leader, and a prominent Voice/Representative for disability arts and artists. We share a belief in building a movement that is revolutionary for all, not just radical for some. My hope was restored and my purpose reignited. Everything happens for a reason. No doubt. I’m still here.” – Candace L. Feldman
“We are thrilled to have Candace join this rapidly growing team. Intersectional disability arts is a new art form, and Candace’s experience and insight will help us break new ground and create sustainable growth. There is so much more to come—stay tuned!”– Alice Sheppard
Michon, Candace, Pi-Isis, Alice, Sheriden, Lisa.