inkBoat researches the interplay of multiple artistic disciplines and viewpoints,
drawing primarily from the Japanese performing and martial arts,
improvisational arts, and Daoist internal arts. inkBoat stage works border
dance, performance art and theater, and inhabit theaters, museums, streets
and abandoned spaces.
Founded by Shinichi Iova-Koga in 1998, members are based in San Francisco,
Luzern, New York, Paris and Berlin, performing throughout North America,
Europe, South Korea and Japan.
inkBoat creates performance works for the public through a collaborative
artistic process. We support professional growth of students and performers in
San Francisco and abroad through mentorship, classes and workshops for
professionals and beginners.
inkBoat Company Members
Shinichi Iova-Koga (Founder and Artistic Director)
Dana Iova-Koga
Elke Luyten
Jubilith Moore
Cass Tunick
Allen Willner
Dan Cantrell
Ellen Sebastian Chang
Shahzad Ismaily
Carla Kihlstedt
Joshua Kohl
KT Nelson
Crow Nishimura
Suki O’Kane
Mari Osanai
Adria Otte
Jon Raskin
Edward Schocker
inkBoat has been awarded 6 Isadora Duncan Awards (Izzies):
2021: “These are the Ones We Fell Among” with guest director/creator Ann Carlson, received Outstanding Achievement in Company Performance
2015: “95 Rituals” received a Special Award
2011: “Line Between” received Outstanding Achievement in Visual Design
2008: “c(H)ord” received Outstanding Achievement in Company Performance
2004: “Ame to Ame”received Outstanding Achievement in Company Performance
2003: “Heavens’ Radio” received Outstanding Achievement in Visual Design
inkBoat has been presented by numerous venues, including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), ODC Theater (SF), CounterPulse (SF), Seattle International Arts Festival, San Francisco International Arts Festival, Südpol (Switzerland), Seoul International Dance Festival (Korea), Japan Society (NY), Red Cat (LA), Vancouver Dance Festival (Canada), Dock 11 (Berlin), Fabrik Potsdam (Germany), Schloss Bröllin (Germany), Kunsthaus Graz (Austria), Southern Theater (MN), University of California (Riverside), Highways (Santa Monica), Painted Bride (Philadelphia), Divadlo Disc (Prague), Plan B (Tokyo) and Die Pratze (Tokyo).
Our work is supported by grants from leading national and regional funders, including Rainin Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s MAP fund, Creative Work Fund, California Arts Council, San Francisco Arts Commission, Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation, Sam Mazza Foundation, The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Zellerbach Foundation and others.
Photo by Pak Han