Barbara Barker Center For Dance

- 500 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455

For Minnesota residents, especially those in the Twin Cities metro area with a passion for movement, performance, and arts education, the Barbara Barker Center for Dance represents a central hub of creative and academic activity. This striking, dedicated facility is the official home for the University of Minnesota’s rigorous and expansive Dance Program, which is part of the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). It is far more than just a set of classrooms; it is a center of excellence for movement research, artistic discovery, and performance, deeply integrated into the cultural fabric of Minneapolis.

The center is named in honor of Barbara Barker, a highly respected dancer, dance historian, and teacher who headed the University of Minnesota’s dance department for more than a decade. Her vision was instrumental in the creation of a standalone building specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a university-level dance program. The building itself is an architectural work of art, featuring light-filled spaces and a dynamic design that many say appears to be 'contorted' or 'leaping' from its foundation, reflecting the very art form it houses.

Since its construction, the Barbara Barker Center has served as the nucleus for dance on the Twin Cities campus and has become a valuable resource for the wider Minnesota dance community. It hosts University-level courses, auditions, professional performances, and visiting artist workshops, firmly positioning the University of Minnesota Dance Program as a significant presence in the local, national, and global dance conversation. The program's mission is to promote contemporary dance within a global context, ensuring students are both technically skilled and artistically expressive.

The Barbara Barker Center for Dance is strategically located within the University of Minnesota's West Bank Arts Quarter in Minneapolis, a neighborhood rich with cultural and educational institutions. This placement provides excellent access for students, community members, and visitors from across the state.

The official address is:

500 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Its location on the West Bank Campus ensures excellent public transit access, a key consideration for the metro area’s users:

• METRO Green Line: The West Bank station is only a short walk (approximately five minutes) from the center.
• Bus Service: Numerous bus routes, including 2, 3, 7, 19, and several others, serve the nearby Riverside Ave & 20th Ave S stop.

For those who prefer to drive, public parking is readily available in University facilities nearby, such as the 21st Avenue Ramp and Lot 94. The center is committed to inclusivity, as indicated by its dedicated accessibility features:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The accessible entrance faces 21st Avenue S.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Accessible parking spaces are available in the adjacent University ramps and lots.
• Elevator Access: An accessible elevator is available, and wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the first floor.
• All-Gender Restrooms: All-gender restrooms are available on the second floor, fostering an inclusive environment for all guests and students.

As a University-affiliated facility, the services provided by the Barbara Barker Center for Dance are comprehensive, extending far beyond typical studio operations to include academic, creative, and performance opportunities.

• Academic Programs: The center is the primary teaching location for the University of Minnesota's BA and BFA Dance Majors, as well as the Dance Minor program.
• Technique and Movement Courses: Offering rigorous training in a wide range of dance forms including modern/contemporary, African diasporic movement, ballet, jazz, and hip hop/street styles.
• Auditions and Placement: All major auditions for the BFA and BA Dance programs, as well as technique course placement for minors and non-majors, are held in the Barker Center.
• Performance Space Rental: The versatile black box theatre and studio spaces are available for rental by community arts organizations, independent artists, and festivals like the Minnesota Fringe Festival, broadening the scope of dance in the Twin Cities.
• Visiting Artist Residencies: The program frequently hosts Cowles Visiting Artists, providing students and the wider community with exposure to internationally renowned choreographers and educators.
• Informal Q&A and Building Tours: Prospective students and families can visit the center to observe classes and engage with faculty and staff.
• Annual Productions: Hosting the annual University Dance Theatre concert, featuring both student and professional restagings of contemporary works.

The design and specific features of the Barbara Barker Center for Dance are tailored to support professional-level instruction and performance, making it a state-of-the-art facility for dance in Minnesota.

• Purpose-Built Design: The architecture is uniquely expressive of the art of dance, creating an inspiring and functional environment.
• Professional Dance Studios: The building houses multiple light-filled, professional-quality dance studios, all equipped with sprung floors to reduce injury risk and support prolonged physical training.
• Black Box Performance Space: A fully-equipped, versatile black box theatre with retractable seating for approximately 100 people, providing an intimate venue for student and guest performances, and acting as a local cultural magnet.
• Research and Discovery Hub: The center is explicitly cited as the nucleus for dance on campus and a hub for movement research and discovery within the Twin Cities dance community.
• Integration with Theatre Arts: Its close proximity and administrative connection to the Rarig Center, which houses the University's main theatre spaces and production facilities, encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration between dance and theatre students.
• Sustainability and Comfort: The use of large windows and thoughtful design ensures the studios are bright, naturally lit, and inspirational places to train.

For information regarding University programs, facility rentals, or upcoming performances, Minnesota residents can use the following details:

Address: 500 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Phone (General/University): (612) 625-5000

Phone (Dance Program Office): (612) 624-5060

For any Minnesota resident seeking serious, comprehensive dance training, performance opportunities, or access to cutting-edge movement research, the Barbara Barker Center for Dance is an unparalleled resource. What makes this 'university' center worth choosing is the unique convergence of high-level academics, professional-grade facilities, and deep community engagement.

Unlike many private studios, the Center offers degree programs (BA/BFA) that integrate a robust liberal arts education with rigorous, diverse movement training. Students benefit from instruction that spans numerous dance traditions—from classical to contemporary and African diasporic—preparing them to be versatile artists and thoughtful scholars. The opportunity to learn in a facility specifically designed for dance, with sprung floors and a dedicated black box theatre, ensures a safe and inspiring environment for the demanding physical work required in the field.

Moreover, the center's role as a major cultural venue, hosting everything from University concerts to professional Fringe Festival productions, ensures that students and local patrons are constantly exposed to a dynamic range of artistic expression. Choosing to engage with the Barbara Barker Center for Dance means tapping into the vibrant pulse of the Minnesota arts scene, guided by the resources and reputation of a world-class public research university.

Barbara Barker Center For Dance

500 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA