b'dancing the museuma panel and performanceOctober 24, 2019SCMA PRESENTEDa performance and panel in in direct relation to the art on display. They were fall 2019 to explore the increasing presence of dancefortunate to enlist the collaboration of two individuals in the programming of art spaces. It is a trend that with distinguished dance and choreographic credits: has fostered unprecedented collaboration between Jenna Riegel, who had just begun her position as dancers and curators, catalyzed new modes of assistant professor of theater and dance at Amherst spectatorship for dance and museums and openedCollege, and Sha Harrell, an accomplished dancer, up fresh possibilities for intermedia, site-specific proj- choreographer, vocalist and actor. Riegelects at the intersection of dance and the visual arts. and Harrell created and presented a powerful dance Shared interest in this subject led to ongoingperformance responding conceptually and aesthet-conversation between Lester Tom, associate pro- ically to the contemporary works of art on display. fessor of dance, and Charlene Shang Miller, SCMAOver 100 students and faculty attended this event. educator for academic programs, as they collaboratedA panel discussion led by Lester Tom imme-on regular museum visits with dance history students.diately followed the performance. Tara Aisha Willis, They were motivated to consider the possibilities ofassociate curator of performance at the Museum of dance within the museums collection galleriesnot toContemporary Art Chicago, spoke about her curato-recreate a theater experience, but rather to put dancerial practice of bringing dance into museum spaces, connecting people to ideasabove:Sha Harrell, left, and Jenna Riegel, right, performing in Targan Gallery46'