Moving in the Spirit officially opened its new “Space to Soar” with a “Groundsoaring” on Thursday, October 11 that included a procession, a dance performance, inspiring speeches, and reception for families and attendees.
For over 30 years, Moving in the Spirit has used the discipline of dance to help Atlanta’s young people develop the critical social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to thrive.
A capital campaign raised $8.4 million to build a new home for the organization at the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA Station. With easy access to transit, young people from across the city will be able to travel to this space easily.
The Space to Soar will include a top-notch stage, classrooms, as well as other amenities, and will allow Moving in the Spirit will be able to double their capacity.
Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) provided an $8.5 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation for this project with our partners at PNC Bank. Other great youth-focused non-profit and educational institutions in the City of Atlanta have been supported through AEMI, including Families First, Sheltering Arms, the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, and Cristo Rey Atlanta.
“Connecting young people from across the city to access constructive extra curriculum activities is crucial to their development. The new Moving In The Spirit complex will provide a new space for community performances and arts events, will create new full-time jobs and will make a $12.3 million economic contribution to our city,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “As a former ballerina myself, I have a simple message for the hundreds of Atlanta children who will have the chance to learn here: have fun and keep those feet dancing!”
In attendance at the event were dozens of children and their families, as well as Jamie Hardin, Moving in the Spirit Board Chair; Noel Khalil, Columbia Ventures Co-Founder and Partner; Jeffrey Parker, MARTA CEO; Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta President & CEO; and Councilmembers Natalyn Archibong and Matt Westmoreland.