This is the first issue of POLLEN: The Spreading of Ideas. Deepening the research we conducted for our annual evening length show, expanding upon community relations through interviews, and empowering our artists to use their voices, POLLEN is the concrete extension of a VLA DANCE season. This year, we are centering ourselves in beginnings. The beginning of our new mission, to create pathways to Freedom for people of all identities through contemporary dance. And the beginning of a company focused on achieving ethical practices in our work.