The Field Center

For those of us in Vermont who value deep, experiential learning in the arts, particularly within the realms of dance and embodied movement, **The Field Center** is a true gem. Tucked away in the serene landscape of Athens, Vermont, this unique institution offers a vital alternative to traditional academic models of arts education. It serves as a dedicated space for working artists at all stages of their careers, and for anyone eager to explore the profound connections between movement, creativity, and self-discovery.

The Field Center is more than just a venue for workshops; it's a living, breathing community where thoughtful programming, rich dances, and sweet humans converge. Its primary aim is to provide an accessible and open environment that fosters growth and collaboration, deliberately moving away from competitive, application-based structures. Here, the emphasis is on developing individual practice, deepening collaborative relationships, and fostering a robust artistic ecology right here in our Vermont backyard.

From immersive weekend jams to longer, intensive workshops where participants live and work together, The Field Center offers year-round opportunities to engage with a diverse range of disciplines, often led by a dynamic mix of experienced and emerging teachers. If you're a Vermonter looking for a place to truly focus on your artistic work, expand your teaching and performance practices, or simply connect with others through the joy of embodied movement and contact improvisation, The Field Center comes highly recommended as a truly wondrous and enriching destination.

---

It's crucial for our local Vermont users to note the correct address for **The Field Center**. While some online listings might point to Bellows Falls, the heart of this "wondrous" center is actually located at **59 Williams Rd, Athens, VT 05143, USA**. Athens, Vermont, offers a tranquil, rural setting that is conducive to focused artistic work and immersive experiences, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle.

Although Athens is a smaller town, its location in southeastern Vermont makes The Field Center accessible for those willing to travel for unique and high-quality arts programming. It's generally reachable by car, and directions can be reliably found using modern navigation apps like Waze, which is often recommended by the center itself. While there might not be direct public transportation to Athens, visitors can often coordinate travel arrangements or explore options involving regional bus lines (like Greyhound to Bellows Falls) or even Amtrak's "Vermonter" line to nearby stations, followed by local arrangements.

The journey to The Field Center is part of the experience, leading you to a beautiful land where thoughtful programs and rich dances unfold. For Vermonters, particularly those in Windham County and surrounding areas, it represents a unique opportunity to engage deeply with embodied movement in a supportive, rural environment. Plan your trip carefully, knowing that the destination, 59 Williams Rd in Athens, is indeed "lovely" and worth the journey.

---

The Field Center offers a diverse and engaging array of programs focused on embodied movement, contact improvisation, and interdisciplinary arts practices. Their services are designed to cater to adult artists and enthusiasts seeking non-academic, experiential learning. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

• **Weekend-Long Events & Jams:** Regular shorter events, including contact improvisation jams, which provide ample, open space and time for improvised dances to develop. These jams are a cornerstone of their community offerings.
• **Longer Workshops/Intensives:** Immersive programs lasting 7-14 days where small groups live and work together. These intensives are generally led by one or two teachers from a variety of disciplines, offering deep dives into specific topics.
• **Contact Improvisation (CI) Programs:** The Field Center is deeply committed to being a home for the practice, development, and interrogation of Contact Improvisation. They host monthly jams for the local community, as well as four seasonal jams and intensives that centralize the teaching and contemporary practice of the form.
• **Embodied Movement Education:** Programs exploring various forms of embodied practices, aiming to provide alternatives to traditional academic models for performance, dance, and interdisciplinary arts.
• **Performance and Dance Development (PANDA LABS):** Recurring programs, particularly during summer months, that offer deep dives into dance and performance creation and development.
• **Group Shakes & Axis Syllabus:** Specific types of movement practices and theoretical frameworks that are explored in their programming, indicating a wide range of specialized areas of study.
• **Artist Residencies and Skill-Building:** Provides a space for artists to focus on their work, skill-build, develop choreography and performance pieces, and foster collaborative relationships.
• **Summer Festivals and Cultural Events:** Hosting a variety of festivals and cultural events during the warmer months, contributing to the vibrant arts scene in Vermont.
• **"Summits" or Symposiums:** Gathering performing arts professionals to discuss aspects of their work and practices, fostering community and intellectual exchange within the field.
• **Residential Work Exchange Program:** An application-based program offering opportunities for young artists to contribute labor (event support, housekeeping, grounds maintenance, etc.) in exchange for access to public event programs and facilities.
• **Accessible and Open Programs:** A core philosophy of reducing competition within the arts, cultivating programs that are welcoming and accessible, and serving as a counterpoint to application-based models.

---

The Field Center stands out as a unique and invaluable resource for artists and movement enthusiasts in Vermont due to its distinctive approach and commitment to its community. Here are some of its key highlights:

• **Dedicated to Contact Improvisation:** As explicitly stated, "The Field Center is committed to being a home for the practice, development and interrogation of Contact Improvisation." They host monthly jams and seasonal intensives, bringing in a wide variety of CI artists and practitioners, valuing both traditional and contemporary approaches.
• **Non-Academic, Experiential Learning:** They provide crucial "alternatives to academic models to performance, dance and interdisciplinary arts education," focusing on hands-on engagement and fostering direct experience over theoretical study. This appeals to those seeking practical, embodied knowledge.
• **Supportive and Non-Competitive Environment:** The center actively strives to "cultivate accessible and open programs that reduce competition within the arts and exist as a counterpoint to application-based programs." This creates a safe and encouraging space for exploration and growth.
• **Beautiful Land and Setting:** As one reviewer enthusiastically puts it, "Beautiful Land, Sweet Humans, Thoughtful program, Rich Dances. Highly Recommend." The rural Vermont setting provides an inspiring and peaceful backdrop for creative work and embodied practices.
• **Year-Round Programming:** The Field Center offers activities throughout the year, including weekend events, longer intensives, and summer festivals, ensuring continuous opportunities for engagement for the Vermont community.
• **Focus on Community and Collaboration:** The center emphasizes fostering stronger collaborative relationships among artists and providing a space for people to "engage with one another as dancers." Their "summits" further exemplify this commitment to community building within the performing arts.
• **Diverse Teaching Faculty:** They bring in a wide variety of facilitators and teachers for their CI events and other programs, including those with decades of experience and newer practitioners, ensuring a rich blend of perspectives and expertise.
• **Commitment to Informed Consent and Safety:** Their "Accessibility + Transparency" page (which includes information on emotional health and informed consent) demonstrates a thoughtful approach to creating a safe and respectful environment, particularly crucial in practices like Contact Improvisation.

---

For those in Vermont eager to connect with The Field Center and explore their unique offerings, here's the essential contact information. Please remember to use their correct physical address for visits and navigation:

Correct Address: 59 Williams Rd, Athens, VT 05143, USA

Phone: (857) 207-8127

You can also reach them via mobile at +1 857-207-8127. It is always recommended to check their official website for the most current program schedules, workshop details, and specific registration information, as their offerings are dynamic and often include application processes for intensives or work exchange programs. Given their focus on embodied practices and community, direct communication via phone or email (likely found on their website) would be the best way to learn more about upcoming events and how to participate in their "wondrous" programs.

---

For Vermonters seeking an authentic, non-traditional, and deeply enriching experience in dance and embodied movement, The Field Center in Athens, VT, is an unparalleled resource. Its rural location, though perhaps requiring a bit of a drive for some, is precisely what contributes to its unique appeal, offering a serene and beautiful setting conducive to artistic immersion and personal growth. This is not a typical gym or dance studio; it's a dedicated sanctuary for profound physical and creative exploration.

The core suitability for locals lies in The Field Center's commitment to community and accessible learning. As reviews attest, it's a place of "Sweet Humans" and "Thoughtful program," where instructors and participants alike foster an encouraging, non-competitive atmosphere. For those interested in contact improvisation, it serves as a vital hub, bringing diverse expertise and creating abundant space for dances to develop organically. Moreover, its year-round programming, from weekend jams to longer intensives, ensures continuous opportunities for engagement, allowing Vermonters to integrate these enriching practices into their lives.

The Field Center provides a crucial alternative for artists and curious individuals who may find traditional academic settings restrictive. It cultivates an environment where creativity thrives, relationships deepen, and personal boundaries can be explored safely within the realm of movement. If you're a Vermonter looking to connect with your body, mind, and spirit through unique, embodied practices, and become part of a supportive, artistic community, The Field Center at 59 Williams Rd in Athens is truly a "Highly Recommend" destination, right here in our beautiful Green Mountain State.

The Field Center

61 Williams Rd, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, USA