Amara Tabor-Smith: Cultivating Liberatory Learning Through Dance, Ritual, and Afro-Now-ism
Amara Tabor-Smith is a highly respected artist, educator, and director whose work centers on the power of movement, ritual, and black feminist thoght. As an Artist-in-residence at Stanford University and Artistic Director of the Committee on Black Performing Arts (CBPA), she’s forging a unique path that blends creative practice with impactful pedagogy. This article delves into her approach to teaching, her current artistic explorations, and her vision for a more equitable and transformative future within the arts.
A Collaborative Approach to Education
Tabor-Smith views teaching not as a one-way transmission of knowledge, but as a dynamic collaboration. She actively seeks questions she doesn’t promptly know the answers to, using them as catalysts for deeper research and personal growth.
This reciprocal learning is notably potent with her students. She embraces their perspectives, recognizing that they keep her connected to contemporary relevance and challenge outdated assumptions. Her goal isn’t to impose a fixed ideology, but to provide a framework that supports students’ individual journeys as dancers, movers, and creatives.
Stanford & Beyond: A Multifaceted role
At Stanford, Tabor-Smith’s responsibilities are diverse and impactful:
* Coursework: She teaches four courses annually, fostering critical thinking and embodied understanding.
* Arts Fellowship: She co-leads an arts fellowship program through the Institute for Diversity in the Arts, nurturing emerging talent.
* International Residency: she directs a five-week artist residency in Bahia,Brazil,in partnership with Instituto Sacatar,providing graduate students with a unique creative chance.
* Mentorship: She actively mentors and advises students,guiding their artistic and academic growth.
* Production: As an Artist-in-Residence, she regularly stages main-stage productions, showcasing innovative work.
Afro-Now-ism: Connecting Past, Present, and Future
Tabor-Smith’s current artistic work is deeply rooted in “Afro-now-ism,” a concept that explores the interconnectedness of African diasporic history, contemporary experiences, and future possibilities.
Her recent piece,Revival: Millennial reMembering in the Afro NOW,exemplifies this approach.Created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Committee on Black Performing Arts, the work examines how the past, present, and future exist within a continuous cycle.
Revitalizing the Committee on Black Performing Arts
Tabor-Smith’s role as Artistic Director of CBPA is particularly meaningful. Founded during the Black student activism of the 1960s, CBPA has a rich history of producing impactful dance and theater.
She’s committed to:
* Continuing Production: Maintaining CBPA’s tradition of showcasing Black artistic expression.
* Reviving Black Arts Quarterly: Re-establishing the association’s influential journal as an annual publication, providing a platform for Black artists and scholars.
Balancing Creativity, Caregiving, and Commitment
Tabor-Smith openly acknowledges the challenges of balancing her artistic pursuits with her responsibilities as a full-time caregiver for her 96-year-old mother. Though, she views this challenge as a catalyst for greater intentionality and time management. Her recent reappointment for another five-year term as Artist-in-Residence at Stanford underscores the value of her work and provides a stable platform for continued growth.
“Conjure Art 101” and the Power of Embodied Knowledge
One of Tabor-Smith’s most innovative courses, “Conjure Art 101,” delves into the realms of ritual, spirituality, and Black feminist magic. This course uniquely blends movement and lecture, emphasizing the body as a crucial tool for understanding and processing information.
She also teaches courses centered on the works of bell hooks and Audre Lorde, further exploring the power of embodied knowledge. This approach directly challenges the conventional academic emphasis on purely intellectual understanding, embracing Lorde’s assertion: “I feel, thus I can be free.”
A Vision for Liberatory Education and Social Transformation
Tabor-Smith’s ultimate goal extends beyond artistic expression and academic rigor.She believes in the power of education to foster liberation, social transformation, and collective well-being.
She envisions her role as cultivating future leaders – not just artists, but also politicians, teachers, funders,
