Civic Movement Agency
@deptofpublicdance
Portland, OR
2023-forever
Department of Public Dance is a civic agency that frames dance as a public utility through participatory dance happenings in public space. From 2023-2024 in Portland, Oregon, weekly dance happenings took place at various locations inside the perpetually waxing and waning Lloyd Center Mall: the former Hollister, the defunct Champs, the food court, the vacant Marshall’s, and the old Spencer’s. The one hour dances were an open invitation to shoppers and passersby to join the Public Acts of Dance Company, an accessible and expandable troupe of people dancing in public.
Public Dance 1 was published as a flip book and sold at Floating World Comics inside Lloyd Center Mall.
While regular dance happenings ended in 2024, the Public Acts of Dance Company is always welcoming new members. To join, all you have to do is dance.
Watch video excerpts of each Public Dance at @deptofpublicdance.
Public Dance 1
Public Dance 2 
Public Dance 3
Public Dance 4
Public Dance 5
Public Dance 6
Public Dance 7
Public Dance 8
Public Dance 9
Public Dance 12
