The International Visiting Artist Program (IVAP) is a collaboration between the Division of the Arts (DotA) and the International Division, which funds the program. This partnership, launched in the fall of 2019, supports short-term residences for international artists on campus. Through IVAP, the Division is able to bring visiting artists and their expertise into existing campus arts programs. Visiting artists expand students’ horizons and facilitate opportunities for future collaborations and careers abroad. IVAP artists might not otherwise have the chance to share their work in the United States, especially artists from less developed countries, those of marginalized identities, or those who provide a unique perspective to their field.
“As an artist and dance pedagogue, the entire program has been truly inspiring, and I’m very grateful for the experience. I believe exchanges like this do broaden the field of research, while creating more connections.”
Sandra Vincent, Fall 2019 International Visiting Artist
Fall 2019
The first residency brought Belgian dancer, choreographer, and teacher Sandra Vincent to campus September 16 – 22, 2019.
Vincent’s experimental work in the lineage of Anna Halprin, a revolutionary postmodern dancer and influential alumna of UW–Madison’s Dance Department, contributed a contemporary European perspective to the creative practice taking place on campus. With musician and guest artist Benjamin Francart, Vincent taught and met with over 100 students in the Dance Department and The Studio. The two also led improvisational dance workshops in Madison and Mazomanie for community members.
Sandra Vincent
Vincent maintains her studio in Brussels, where she conducts research in dance, voice, and performance. She is also the founder and director of Playsure Company and of ALMA, a program of artistic development that cultivates body and voice practices.
Spring 2020
International filmmakers Fernanda Valadez from Mexico and Chiara Malta from France were scheduled to visit Madison as part of the Wisconsin Film Festival in April, 2020. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting travel restrictions and cancelation of the in-person Wisconsin Film Festival, these residencies did not take place.
Spring 2021
The International Visiting Artist Program is sponsoring two artists, Bgirl Key and Lady C, in conjunction with IARP artist Michele Byrd-McPhee (fall 2020) who has worked with both artists.
Lady C and Bgirl Key will teach master classes remotely as part of Assistant Professor of Dance, Duane Lee Holland, Jr.’s Hip-Hop dance classes in the spring of 2021. Duane Lee Holland, Jr. served as lead faculty for the fall residency, and Byrd-McPhee’s return to host Lady C and Bgirl Key will extend the impact of the residency. Their involvement in IVAP supplements the international aspect of the curriculum and highlights more women artists in a very predominately male-oriented field.
Kifuko "Key" Moureen Drichiru (AKA Bgirl Key)
Kifuko "Key" Moureen Drichiru (AKA Bgirl Key) is a Ugandan dance performer and teacher, educator, events organizer, choreographer, and graphic designer. She uses her talents and skills to empower and elevate children and adults with in her community and around the world. Her dance specialties are Breakdance, Waacking, Afro house, and popping along with Ugandan traditional dances. She is the founder and director of SHE IS HIPHOP an organization and initiative whose aim is to build girls and women through Hip-Hop.
Caroline Fraser (AKA Lady C)
Caroline Fraser (AKA Lady C) is a Canadian dancer, choreographer, and singer. Lady C is internationally known for her unique versatility and original style. She has studied multiple styles under many of the pioneers and legends of Street Dance and has the ability to move between Popping, Locking, House Hip Hop, and Breaking while maintaining the integrity and essence of each one. Her early training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary adds to her diverse skill set.
Michele Byrd-McPhee
Michele Byrd-McPhee is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, producer, curator, and director of Ladies of Hip-Hop. Byrd-McPhee has been working for many years to re-contextualize spaces and conversation about Hip-Hop culture along gender, sex, cultural and socio-historical and racial lines for decades. In fall 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michele Byrd-McPhee’s residency was fully remote, including the course and events with guest artists.