Founded by James Grant, OPUS Dance Theatre & Community Services has been a beacon of arts education and youth development for over three decades.
OPUS Dance Theatre and Community Services, Inc. serves as the umbrella organization supporting both the OPUS Dance Theatre Company and OPUS Arts in Education programs. Our mission is to integrate social values, celebrate cultural diversity, and promote excellence through the artistic expression of the performing arts.
We accomplish this by providing high-quality performances, professional development, and educational and community programs that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and rooted in tradition. Through these efforts, we use the arts as a vehicle for empowerment, academic enrichment, and meaningful community engagement.
We envision a world where every young person—regardless of background—has access to arts, culture, education, and the support necessary to realize their highest potential. We believe that exposure to culturally grounded artistic expression strengthens identity, builds discipline, and nurtures leadership.
Through dance and the performing arts, we see lives transformed, character shaped, and communities strengthened. Our vision extends beyond performance; it is about cultivating confident, informed individuals who carry their heritage forward while contributing meaningfully to the world around them.
Founded in 1988 by James Grant, OPUS Dance Theatre began as a performance company committed to presenting works rooted in African and diasporic traditions. Emerging from Harlem’s rich cultural landscape, OPUS was built on a clear conviction: the arts are central to identity, scholarship, and community strength. Through powerful choreography and musical expression, the company established itself as both a preserver of tradition and a contemporary voice in cultural performance.
As the organization evolved, its mission expanded beyond the stage. Recognizing the transformative power of arts education, OPUS developed comprehensive multicultural visual and performing arts curricula for schools and community institutions. This expansion led to structured initiatives such as OPUS Arts in Education and the A.R.I.S.E. framework, integrating discipline, creativity, academic reinforcement, and leadership development into youth programming.
Today, OPUS stands as both a performing arts institution and an educational force. Its programs and performances have served agencies and institutions including the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, the NYC Department of Education, the American Red Cross, the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation, and the New York Public Library. Through performance, instruction, and community engagement, OPUS continues to translate cultural heritage into tools for empowerment, excellence, and lasting impact.
ODT is a member of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and The Harlem Arts Alliance. ODT has recently enjoyed the Sports & Arts in School Cultural Festival, the Moja Arts Festival in Charleston South Carolina, and international acclaim, having been a featured guest at the First Annual International Black Arts Festival in Vienna, Austria, the First Annual Festival of the African Diaspora, in Costa Rica, and in 2006 received the Vivian Robinson Arts & Culture Award in Honor of Katherine Dunham.
Instilling poise and focus through rigorous artistic training.
Encouraging new ideas and unique expressions in every student.
Celebrating diversity and heritage through the arts.
Connecting with our neighbors through service and performance.
Empowering youth to become mentors and role models.
Supporting educational goals alongside artistic growth.
