our purpose.
EIGHT/MOVES is a contemporary dance company dedicated to breaking boundaries and creating unity through movement. We bring artists, audiences, and communities together to empower marginalized voices, bridge gaps between communities, and utilize the universal language of dance to generate social and cultural change.
Founded in 2023 by dancer and choreographer Mia J. Chong, EIGHT/MOVES is a new movement. Named after the lucky Chinese number 8, EIGHT/MOVES is dedicated to creating a space for diverse artistry to be celebrated and flourish without limitations. Together, we reimagine possibilities for AAPI, BIPOC, and other marginalized artists.
The origins of EIGHT/MOVES came from Mia’s desire to carve out a space in the dance world for AAPI artists. Mia says, “As a Chinese American dancer, I was in conversation with so many incredible AAPI artists who longed for more freedom, agency, and recognition in the field. As I began putting together the seeds of EIGHT/MOVES, I found that many of my fellow BIPOC, queer, and woman artists felt similarly. As I heard more stories and dreams from the marginalized artists around me, I was reminded of the universal desire to feel seen and the power dance has to create understanding among people from all walks of life. So while EIGHT/MOVES began with my story of identity, I dream of the company becoming about so much more - a space for people to live in the power of their identities and create, think, and connect differently.”
Our inventive collaborations connect artists, audiences, and communities of different cultures, generations, and backgrounds, putting them in kind, critical conversation with one another using the universal language of dance.
our eight guiding values.
CREATE
We are committed to creating excellence through impactful performance experiences with groundbreaking choreographers, phenomenal dancers, and stunning productions. We are exploring dance as a medium for social and cultural progress and discovering a path as we go. We aim to craft thoughtful works that spark conversation and encourage reflection.
UPLIFT
We believe in creating a space for historically disempowered artists’ voices to be uplifted. Marginalized stories, creativity, joy, and excellence deserve a safe and respectful platform to thrive. We practice celebrating uniqueness while creating a greater sense of oneness.
BUILD
We are devoted to building and cultivating an inclusive sense of community with our work. We want to build a feeling of unity among our artists, audiences, and communities of different backgrounds through dance. Through innovation, collaboration, open conversation, and a culture of kindness, we can begin to see, hear, and understand one another.
EXPAND
We aim to expand accessibility to world-class art for all. We work hard to make people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, economic statuses, and other diverse backgrounds feel welcome to engage with our programming. We prioritize minimizing barriers that may prevent audiences from accessing our work.
INSPIRE
We aspire to create a company that will inspire future generations of artists, patrons of the arts, community leaders, and creative thinkers. We aim to highlight the talents of diverse artists, providing representation and a future path for the rising generations.
HONOR
We honor those who have paved the way for us - art makers, cultural leaders, community innovators, and more. We stand on the shoulders of so many. We hope to continue these efforts through our own unique contributions.
CARE
We are dedicated to responsibly making distinct and meaningful dances with love and care. We aim to handle artistic, organizational, and ethical aspects of EIGHT/MOVES with a sense of responsibility and integrity - always prioritizing people over process, product, or performance.
PUSH
We aim to push the boundaries of what is possible in dance, what is possible for marginalized artists, and what art can do to touch minds and hearts. We aim to transcend limitations and create new realities.