The Essex County Artist Fund is Essex County Community Foundation’s response to the immediate and everyday needs of artists to be supported and lifted up across the county and across sectors. At ECCF, our philosophy is to build a creative ecosystem focused on awareness and appreciation for arts and culture, capacity building, collaboration, and cultural planning. Individual artists and arts/culture organizations are key to this network. www.eccf.org/creative-county.
Artist Name: Angelina Benitez – Salem
Learn more: https://angelinabenitez819.wixsite.com/angelina-benitez / @she_moves_and_makes
Creative Practice: I am a dance teacher, performer, and choreographer. In the past two years I have taught children ages 2-18 locally at places like Ipswich Moving Company (dance studio), Enchanted Dance Academy, Salem YMCA, and St. John’s Prep School. I also teach adults at Queer Dance Workshops in Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park. I have also performed and shown work locally and in the Greater Boston area at venues including Salem Arts Festival, Green Street Studios, The Dance Complex, On Stage Dance Company, and the Crossing Waters Festival.
Artist Statement: My experience as a queer woman influences much of my work as a performer and dance maker. I create work with my creative and life partner to bring our queerness to the forefront and dismantle heteronormativity one performance at a time.
If you are an artist and would like to apply for the Essex County Artist Fund, please do so here.
If you would like to support the Essex County Artist Fund and artists like Angelina, please donate here.