Central ND News

Dickinson State University (DSU) has announced a partnership with the North Dakota Ukrainian Dance Association (NDUDA). This collaboration aims to provide unique artistic opportunities on campus while recognizing the heritage of the greater Dickinson area.

With this partnership, NDUDA will gain access to DSU’s Dorothy Stickney Auditorium, the DSU dance studio, dressing rooms, props, and costumes. This will offer a venue for their cultural performances and rehearsals. Both organizations aim to enrich the cultural landscape of the region and increase appreciation for Ukrainian dance and heritage.

“I am very excited to reestablish this relationship between DSU and NDUDA,” stated Sarah Crossingham, assistant professor of education. “It’s another step toward enhancing fine arts in the community through a partnership with DSU.”

The initial event under this partnership will be the return of NDUDA’s summer camp at the DSU campus. The camp will provide dance, art, and history classes in half-day sessions for children aged 5-13. Evening classes will be offered for individuals aged 13 and older. This camp traditionally took place at DSU but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NDUDA is now eager to bring it back to campus.

“We are a young board,” explained Anya Bohn, NDUDA treasurer and DSU alumna. “Many of us grew up going to camp, and it was one of our goals to bring it back to DSU, to bring it home.”

The partnership is a milestone in DSU’s efforts to expand its cultural programming and strengthen connections between students, employees, and the community. Both DSU and NDUDA anticipate future collaborations that celebrate and promote the diverse cultural traditions of North Dakota.