Maura García | 2019 Native Launchpad Artist
ARTIST WEBSITE
Tribal Affiliation: non-enrolled Cherokee/Mattamuskeet
Artistic Discipline: Dancer & Choreographer
Kansas / North Carolina
Photo credit: Chris Randle
Maura García (non-enrolled Cherokee/Mattamuskeet) is a dancer, dancemaker, entertainer, facilitator, thought leader and artistic director. She inspires people to liberate themselves through vibrant performances that channel the sensual rhythms of the natural world. From theater stages, to nightclubs, to museums, to conferences, to universities, to private events, to site-specific outdoor performances, Maura’s powerful work transforms time and space. At the root of all of her endeavors is the desire to heal and create more space for joy in the world.
As an artistic director, Maura collaborates with Indigenous and POC artists to realize multi-media performances, interactive dance experiences and community arts projects. Her narrative driven work uncovers stories hidden by colonialism and reflects the power they have to change our realities. As a human and as a creator, Maura works to uplift Indigenous cultural values, perpetuate ancestral knowledge and actively respect the living earth.
Maura is an international touring artist and shares her work with the world via specially-designed commissions, repertoire performances, multi-day residencies and longer-term community programs. Her performances have been presented throughout North America, notably at:
● Denison University (OH, USA)
● La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (NY, USA)
● Movement Research at Judson Church (NY, USA)
● The Dance Centre (BC, Canada)
● Woodland Cultural Centre (ON, Canada)
The ArtsCenter (NC), Kansas City Repertory Theater (MO), Lawrence Arts Center (KS), Links Hall (IL), New York Theater Workshop (NY), Rhythmically Speaking Festival (MN), Talking Stick Festival (BC, Canada), Unedited Series (SC) and the Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival (ON, Canada).
ln addition to dance for the stage, Maura devises choreographic responses to specific places. She is particularly interested in creating stunning performance that is accessible, sustainable and has a low carbon foot print. Her first commission was a performance for the Charleston Library Society (SC) incorporating interviews with library patrons, local Indigenous Natchez creation stories and audience participation. She recognized the value of collaborating with already established community-serving institutions and in 2016 accepted a commission from the Ackland Art Museum (NC) to co-create a performance with sound artist Mark Gabriel Little in response to their featured exhibition. In 2019, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art commissioned a locally-specific remount of her work that took place in 3 different outdoor sites in northwest Arkansas.
Maura is dedicated to collaborating with communities to celebrate group narratives through dance and other art forms. As a fellow in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian’s Artist Leadership Program, Maura worked with members of the Kansas City Indian Center and local Indigenous artists to realize an 8-month long arts project exploring ancient and contemporary urban Indian identity. To date she has partnered with numerous organizations to carry out long-term projects, workshop series and/or masterclasses:
● Haskell Indian Nations University (KS, USA)
● Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MO)
● Multicultural Arts Victoria (VIC, Australia)
● Onkwehón:we Original People’s Festival (ON, Canada)
● Raven Spirit Dance (BC, Canada)
● Warm Springs Reservation (various agencies)
American Indian Mothers (NC), First Nations Graduate Association (NC), Ikidowin Peer Educators and Acting Ensemble (MN), Kansas City Cherokee Community (MO), Native Youth Inaugural Event (DC), Orange County Rape Crisis Center (NC), Two Rivers Gallery (MN) and University of Kansas Department of Dance (KS, USA).
She is sought out for her vibrant performances, community engagement and cultural advocacy work. As a result, she has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the:
● Artist Relief Project award (national, USA)
● Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training program (national, USA)
● InterCultural Indigenous Choreographers Creation Lab (international, Canada)
● Lighton International Artists Exchange Program (international, USA)
● MidAmerica Arts Alliance’s Interchange Grant (midwestern, USA)
● Western Arts Alliance Native Launchpad Artist (national, USA)
Full Circle First Nations Performance development grant (BC, Canada), Grants for Artist Progress awardee (WA), Heads in the Clouds development program (AB, Canada), and the Rocket Grant Project Award (KS/MO). Additionally Maura has served as a reviewer for various grants and festivals including the Kansas City Festival of Dance, MAP Fund, McKnight Fellowships for Dancers, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, Native Arts & Culture Fund’s LIFT grant and the NEA's Art Works grant.
Maura currently resides on A-ma-ye-(t)li, also known as turtle island. She believes that every interaction with a living being is an opportunity to positively affect the world. As she travels the world, she continues to seek out opportunities that will allow her to dance, connect and create with others.