Aileen Mapes has led an active role in the arts community for many years and continues to devote her life to proliferating the arts. In 2002, Aileen earned her BA in Sociology and BS in Dance, receiving the Outstanding Dance Major of the Year Award from the National Dance Association. During her four-year development as a performing artist at the Suchu Dance Company under the direction of Jennifer Wood, Aileen performed in over 15 new works and received several awards, including a nomination for Best Local Dancer by the Houston Chronicle and a profile as Featured Artist in Arts Houston Magazine. Aileen received funding for her independent work from the Creative Capital Foundation, the Houston Arts Alliance, the Houston Downtown Alliance, the Houston Dance Source, Spacetaker, the Cultural Arts Council of Houston (CACHH), and Bill White, Mayor of Houston.
Aileen recently completed her MFA in Dance from Arizona State University, where worked with Simon Dove, Pegge Vissicaro, and Elina Mooney and was recognized by the Katherine K. Herberger Special Talent Award. While in Phoenix, her work was performed at the Galvin Theatre, the ASU Art Museum, the Pueblo Grande Art Museum, the Mesa Arts Center, and The Icehouse. Her thesis work, “Guerilla Dance Attack”, featured a six-month series of dance “attacks” around the city of Phoenix, culminating in a final concert at the historic Alwun House. While at Arizona State, Aileen developed curricula for classes in Ballet Technique, Modern Technique, Dance History, and Rhythmic Analysis, consistently receiving outstanding teaching evaluations. She was also a participant in the widely acclaimed Freedom of Information 24-Hour Project, dancing for 24 hours in solidarity with political refugees.
Aileen attended Dance for Camera workshops with Ellen Bromberg and filmmaker Laura Taler. Dance for Camera is a passion for her, and she continues to challenge the kinesthetic relationship of viewer and lens.
