dr. lavanya rajagopalan
Immersed in the ancient art form of Bharatanatyam for over 35 years, Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan is a dancer, choreographer, arts educator, and cultural ambassador. Having trained in Bharatanatyam and nattuvangam under the legendary Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy and in Indian classical music by notable gurus Shri Seetharama Sharma, Shri. Srinivasa Iyengar and Padmabhushan Vidwan Madurai Shri. N. Krishnan. She has performed to critical acclaim on stages across India and the US, since the early 90s. Dr. Rajagopalan is also a prolific creator, conceptualizing and directing numerous innovative dance productions - Maya – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dance of the Cosmos, Chakravyuh, The Baroque-Carnatic Connection, and Kindred Soul: The Legacy of King and Gandhi, to name a few.
Dr. Rajagopalan is the founder of Silambam Houston, which has blossomed into a singular force in the US arts landscape. It is arguably the only nonprofit arts organization in the United States with a comprehensive array of arts offerings, from immersive, holistic training in a spectrum of Indian classical art forms, to vibrant community outreach, creating platforms and professional pathways for established and emerging artists, and an active sought-after performing company. Under her leadership, Silambam Houston was designated a ‘Houston Cultural Treasure’ in 2023 as part of a national initiative by the Ford Foundation. Dr. Rajagopalan's profound contributions to Bharatanatyam were recognized in 2022 with the distinguished ‘Acharya KalA BhArathi’ title from BhArat KalAchAr.
With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Dr. Rajagopalan uniquely leverages her scientific background for STEM education through arts integration, including through outreach programs such as ‘Dancing into STEM’, which integrate basic science concepts with Indian classical arts, promoting cultural education for diverse audiences.
abstract
Grant-writing for the Arts
Workshop
This workshop, "Grant Writing for the Arts," is designed for artists, arts organizations, and cultural professionals seeking to enhance their capacity to secure grant funding. The session will explore how to identify appropriate funding opportunities, develop persuasive narratives, construct project descriptions and budgets, and efficiently navigate the application submission process. This session aims to equip attendees with the practical strategies and mindset necessary to translate artistic concepts into fundable projects.