FunkPhysics
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>View discussions about this entry Country: United Kingdom
Organization: FunkPhysics Ltd.
Sport - Dance
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2007
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Project URL: http://www.funkphysics.com
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - I offer a chance for everybody to be a successful hiphop dancer, no matter who and where they are.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - My new idea is to make a pro environment for hiphop dancing accessible and affordable by sharing my experience as a professional hiphop dancer. Dance helps kids gain confidence and discover themselves. It should be available to everyone. Hiphop came from the streets, a DIY art form made by and for the people. My program is here to show that everybody can make the step from watching MTV to being active and successful as a dancer. FunkPhysics not only shows you the first steps into a great sport and a more active lifestlye, but offers vocational lessons as well - all the way to pro dancing, including info on becoming self employed, getting a agent and experiencing the professional dance industry.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - Dancing studios and lessons are expensive. Individual dancers and small companies can hardly afford the professional environment and training they need to improve their skills, while kids with no experience at all shy away from the high entry barrier. Even if you do find a way into hiphop dancing, there is hardly any good advice available concerning the professional side of this sport. For too many young people, they never get a chance to show what they can do.
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - At my dance studio in London, the Funk Physics Studio, I allow people to dance/rehearse in an encouraging and comfortable environment. I run classes in all styles of hip hop, and there are classes available no matter what the level may be. I make a point of having classes affordable for everyone and renting out the studio to companies at much lower prices than usual. Secondly, I am launching an information and casting website for dancers of all levels (www.funkphysics.com), where I have all of the necessary information in one place. As a professional dancer myself, these were all things I had to discover for myself. I am hoping that once the website launches, people will feel more comfortable about getting into the industry as they will always have a guide to refer back to. If you are a
complete beginner, there is information to tell you the sorts of things you should be learning and the classes you should be taking. How do you plan to grow your innovation? - I have put together a dance company (Anarchy Cartel) from a group of young people with absolutely no hip hop dance experience. The aim is to make them into professionals within three years (I have had them since Feb/07) using specific training methods and other experimental coaching systems. Along with the dance training they build their confidence and self esteem. Our company will gain media coverage and attention, that I can then use to approach sport outfitters and potential givers as well as hiphop musicians and dancers on the one hand and local community networks, social services, schools and educators on the other. Bringing together together attention, hiphop credibility, local communities and the young people I want to get into dancing will grow my innovation.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - Show young people that they can be movers and shakers instead of just watching.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - I want to prove that with the right attitude everybody can become a professional hiphop dancer. Anarchy Cartel will be the case in point. I hope that their success encourages others to use the resources I offer at FunkPhysics to work their way to the top. Beneficiaries will be all those who would not have taken up dancing for lack of resources, instruction and inspiration otherwise.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - Since the beginning of 2007, Anarchy Cartel is fast becoming the UK´s most talked about dance project. We´ve made our debut performance in May at the Stratford Circus with the Festival of Youth Arts/East London Dance. My web resource on starting a dancing career is up and running, and FunkyPhyscis has started its mission.
Check out the myspace site: What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - People thinking that dance is exclusive or expensive.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - Our members pay a fee to take classes and we rent the studio. We are also paid for our dance performances. We are looking into other forms of sponsorship.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. This field has not been completed
What is the potential demand for your innovation? - There are tonnes of kids throughout London and all over the UK, the world, who could benefit from easy access to dance training and later to the professional life through the agency website.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - We are working with a lot of young people and others without a lot of money and we want to keep our services affordable.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - This field has not been completed
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - This field has not been completed
Contact Information:
Kymberlee Jay
Professional Dancing Coach FunkPhysics Ltd. (Business) Discussions about this entry |
Hi Kimberly,
We met in Casablanca at that great L'heure Joyeuse dance show, remember? We were helping them make their own participatory video about their project- btw did you ever see it? Its on our website: http://www.insightshare.org/sport4development.html. Great to see your entry here! Looks fantastic - loved the video - I only wish I lived in London, my kids would love this - actually im quite tempted too!- Would you say you are mainly focussed on helping young people become professionals. Im sure there would also be a lot of value of just encouraging youth to get involved in the shorter term. Like you said it sharpens the mind and creates great sense of personal achievement and fulfillment. Im sure loads of kids would be keen to do this but may not necessairily see themselves as pros in the future...maybe they just want to show off on the dance floor at the next youth club disco..?! I guess you can't do everything..but have you considered doing workshops at schools/ youth clubs and opening this up even more? Im sure there would be huge demand and you wouldn't always have to be the main trainer, some of your crew or other students could do the training on that level.
Anyway good luck! Ive also got an entry aiming at spreading the use of participatory video to enhance and deepen sports for change projects...would love your feedback: http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/2811.
All the best
Chris
Hi Kymberlee,
Very cool program, great video and congratulations to you for aiming to bring the otherwise "elite" sport of dance to all. Great work. It would be great to hear some more concrete details about Funk Physics. How many students have gone through the classes? What age group is involved? How are you reaching the community? Could you please share a couple stories of the impact that Funk Physics has had on the people involved? Thank you for your response!
Dana Frasz
Changemakers
Hi Kymberlee,
great to see you on Changemakers! Nice video, btw. I can seem to find any new news on Anarchy Cartel on their website. Hope the troupe is still up and running? Any news here?
Jasper Nicolaisen
Free University Berlin
University Challenge