The Metropolitan Dance Association (MDA) began in 1953 as the Modern Dance Council of Washington, D.C. The organization name change adopted in September 1979 reflected a shift to document local and regional dance heritage. Annual meetings of the Association featured performances and presentations by and about the regional dance community.

Among the activities undertaken by the Association was the Choreographers Showcase begun in 1958 to provide artistic opportunities to less experienced choreographers. The showcase was renamed Dance Showcase in 1978. The Association also sponsored a loan fund to provide financial assistance to dancers, choreographers, teachers and others in support of project relating to the advancement of contemporary dance in the Washington metropolitan area. Responding to the needs of its members, the Association contracted the services of a health and insurance organization to provide much needed insurance to those who might not have otherwise been able to afford it. The Associations' commitments to dancers, dance performance and dance heritage was recognized in its receipt of several grants.