Prof. JACEK ŁUMIŃSKI
Jacek Luminski graduated from dance pedagogical department of Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, for six years practiced in actorship and theatre skills in State Jewish Theatre in Warsaw. His apprenticeship includes classes in SJT actors’ studio and performing on stage under renowned directors, such as Jakub Rotbaum, Szymon Szurmiej and Juliusz Berger. At the same time, he took an active part in performances held by Society of Fine Arts on the occasion of visual arts shows openings, played in Danton’s Death (directed by Kazimierz Kutz in Warsaw Ateneum Theatre), as well as in many stage productions round Poland.
In 1991 Luminski established Silesian Dance Theatre in Bytom (Silesia) the premiere contemporary dance company of Poland, an institution dedicated to the development and to the promotion of dance art on both national and international scale. As executive and artistic director of the Silesian Dance Theatre he designed educational and community outreach programs that efficiently help both dance promotion and audience development goals. Lobbying for contemporary dance in government circles as well as consistent support for programming dance workshops, critical and historical dance writing, arts management supports proliferation of dance knowledge and increases appreciation for dance. In 2005 the Silesian Dance Theatre in co-operation with six European dance schools (Folkwang Hohschule in Germany, CODARTS in Holland, Bruckner University in Austria, Dartington College of the Arts, LIPA, and Bath Spa University in UK) under Luminski’s guidance supported by Leonardo da Vinci EU Program developed the first country’s accredited university dance curriculum.
There are multiple reasons of his international acclaim; numerous awards followed his incredible achievements in developing a unique style, technique and breathtaking form of dance theatre. Luminski’s reputation is an effect of consistency and commitment to both the art form and the community. On the other hand it is embedded in his uncompromising search for spirit and truth. Luminski’s Work with a signature was developed from his fascinations with cultural traditions of Polish Jewry and Polish folklore. The fascination was reflected in his thorough research in this field, his dance works and dance publications.
Luminski’s long list of awards, grants and scholarships for creating a new style and form of contemporary dance includes, among others, Ben Sommers Capezio Award (USA/Israel) in 1986, Ballett International Fellowship (Germany) in 1988, United States Information Agency – Visiting Artist (USA) in 1992, Trust for Mutual Understanding/Suitcase Fund Fellowship (USA) in 1993, 1994, ArtsLink Fellowship (USA) in 1994, „Złota Maska” (Golden Theatre Mask for the development of the new form of theatre) of Katowice Voivodship (Poland) in 1995, Mc-Knight Fellowship (USA) in 1996, „Złota Maska” (Golden Theatre Mask for WK-70 dance theatre piece) of Katowice Voivodship in 1997, Pilar of the Report in 2003 (awarded by business community), Golden Cross of Merits in 2004, Golden Honorary Medal of Merits for Silesian Voivodship in 2005, International Theatre Institute (ITI) Theatre Critics Award (2009). Subinoy Chakraborty Smirti Purashar, Calcutta, India (2009) Silver Cross of Merits in Culture “Glora Artis” (2011)
Luminski also teaches workshops in Poland and abroad (including with USA, Canada, Israel, Austria, and UK). Critics of newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times (USA), Ballet International (Germany), Dance Magazine (USA), and Tanz Affiche (Austria) analyzed his style and technique in detail. Since 2000 he is a Curator of Contemporary Dance Co-production Fund (EU Program). In 2000 became a Lang Professor of Social Change in Swarthmore College (USA). Since 2004 he works under Professor Anya Peterson Royce towards PhD in Performing Arts at Anthropology Department of Indiana University, Bloomington (USA). It is going to be Luminski’s second doctoral degree as the first one he earned from the State Drama School in Kraków (Poland) in Theatrical Arts. Since 2008 he occupies a position of Dean of Dance Theatre Department.
In 1991 Luminski established Silesian Dance Theatre in Bytom (Silesia) the premiere contemporary dance company of Poland, an institution dedicated to the development and to the promotion of dance art on both national and international scale. As executive and artistic director of the Silesian Dance Theatre he designed educational and community outreach programs that efficiently help both dance promotion and audience development goals. Lobbying for contemporary dance in government circles as well as consistent support for programming dance workshops, critical and historical dance writing, arts management supports proliferation of dance knowledge and increases appreciation for dance. In 2005 the Silesian Dance Theatre in co-operation with six European dance schools (Folkwang Hohschule in Germany, CODARTS in Holland, Bruckner University in Austria, Dartington College of the Arts, LIPA, and Bath Spa University in UK) under Luminski’s guidance supported by Leonardo da Vinci EU Program developed the first country’s accredited university dance curriculum.
There are multiple reasons of his international acclaim; numerous awards followed his incredible achievements in developing a unique style, technique and breathtaking form of dance theatre. Luminski’s reputation is an effect of consistency and commitment to both the art form and the community. On the other hand it is embedded in his uncompromising search for spirit and truth. Luminski’s Work with a signature was developed from his fascinations with cultural traditions of Polish Jewry and Polish folklore. The fascination was reflected in his thorough research in this field, his dance works and dance publications.
Luminski’s long list of awards, grants and scholarships for creating a new style and form of contemporary dance includes, among others, Ben Sommers Capezio Award (USA/Israel) in 1986, Ballett International Fellowship (Germany) in 1988, United States Information Agency – Visiting Artist (USA) in 1992, Trust for Mutual Understanding/Suitcase Fund Fellowship (USA) in 1993, 1994, ArtsLink Fellowship (USA) in 1994, „Złota Maska” (Golden Theatre Mask for the development of the new form of theatre) of Katowice Voivodship (Poland) in 1995, Mc-Knight Fellowship (USA) in 1996, „Złota Maska” (Golden Theatre Mask for WK-70 dance theatre piece) of Katowice Voivodship in 1997, Pilar of the Report in 2003 (awarded by business community), Golden Cross of Merits in 2004, Golden Honorary Medal of Merits for Silesian Voivodship in 2005, International Theatre Institute (ITI) Theatre Critics Award (2009). Subinoy Chakraborty Smirti Purashar, Calcutta, India (2009) Silver Cross of Merits in Culture “Glora Artis” (2011)
Luminski also teaches workshops in Poland and abroad (including with USA, Canada, Israel, Austria, and UK). Critics of newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times (USA), Ballet International (Germany), Dance Magazine (USA), and Tanz Affiche (Austria) analyzed his style and technique in detail. Since 2000 he is a Curator of Contemporary Dance Co-production Fund (EU Program). In 2000 became a Lang Professor of Social Change in Swarthmore College (USA). Since 2004 he works under Professor Anya Peterson Royce towards PhD in Performing Arts at Anthropology Department of Indiana University, Bloomington (USA). It is going to be Luminski’s second doctoral degree as the first one he earned from the State Drama School in Kraków (Poland) in Theatrical Arts. Since 2008 he occupies a position of Dean of Dance Theatre Department.