City-Wide Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance Symposium Comes to High Concept Labs

Today the Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) and High Concept Labs (HCL) are pleased to announce the first-ever, city-wide Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance symposium, to be held October 8 at HCL, located at 2233 South Throop Street in Chicago. Pre-registration can be found here. Walk-ups are also welcome.

This day-long symposium is one of multiple public programs planned by CDF as part of the Regional Dance Development Initiative (RDDI), a program of the New England Foundation for the Arts' (NEFA) National Dance Project (NDP). This multi-layered, joint initiative supports the professional development of Chicago-based dancemakers, and stimulates networking and partnerships that strengthen the field of dance in Chicago.

RDDI Chicago activities began in April 2016 and continue through fall 2017, with the capacity to reach more than 200 Chicago-area dance artists and practitioners. Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance is one of a number of public programs presented by CDF and other local partners, that are designed to share the connections, discoveries and learning generated during the RDDI Chicago Dance Lab - held over 12 days in summer 2016 at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana - out and into Chicago's broader dance communities, and among their members.

The events offered during Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance will be particularly relevant to choreographers, Midwest and Chicago-area performance presenters, dance scholars and students, donors and funders, culture-seekers and dance enthusiasts.

The schedule of Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance events is as follows:

Morning Panel: "Partnerships"
10:30am-noon

Shoshana Currier, Director of Performing Arts, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Kevin Iega Jeff, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
Emily Johnson, Choreographer/Director, Catalyst Dance
Michelle Kranicke, Artistic Director, Zephyr Dance
Emily Hooper Lansana, Associate Director, Community Arts Engagement, University of Chicago
Bill Michel, Executive Director, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
Joseph Ravens, Performance Artist and Founder, Defibrillator Performance Gallery

Moderated by Ginger Farley, Executive Director, Chicago Dancemakers Forum

Seven panelists with diverse perspectives speak about their collaborations and relationships, to reveal the depth of commitment and potential for rich dialogue between dance artists and presenters. This panel also explores specific creative approaches these partners have used to collaborate to create and present dance, in spaces ranging from traditional proscenium theater spaces to storefront galleries.

Networking Lunch
Noon-1pm

Live Performance and Presentation: "In Residence"
1-1:30pm

Steven Wang, Executive Director at High Concept Labs, presents the Sponsored Artist Program at HCL, offered twice annually for four-month periods, and designed to promote the growth of artists and their work through customizable, no-cost support services and granted time in its studio spaces. In addition, HCL 2016 Sponsored Artist and Tap Dancer/Hip Hop artist Groundhog performs live.

Afternoon Presentation: "Case Studies"
1:30-3pm

Visiting dance artist and choreographer Dahlia Nayar presents an example of her success in relationship-building with performance presenters, as well as her creative approach to developing, securing and executing national touring for their works.

Carrie Hanson, Founding Artistic Director of The Seldoms, and Yolanda Cesta Cursach, Associate Director of Performance Programs at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, reveal the curatorial process and multiple relationships that lead to the production of Power Goes.

Says Ginger Farley, Executive Director, Chicago Dancemakers Forum: "I am so excited to gather with this dynamic group of experts from within our field, each of whom brings a unique perspective and a story to tell about the realization of their goals and work in dance. While the panels and presentations will give attendees the opportunity to hear specific examples of successful approaches, we are also pleased to provide additional time and space during the day for networking and casual conversation. Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance is the ideal way for CDF and NEFA to build relationships and stimulate new thinking around the viability and vitality of dance in Chicago."

Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 beginning at 10:30am at High Concept Labs (HCL) located at Mana Contemporary Chicago (2233 South Throop Street). A $10 suggested donation from each attendee includes lunch. Visit chicagodancemakersforum.org or call 773-580-9322 in advance to RSVP. Space is limited and programming is subject to change.

Artist-Presenter Collaborations for Dance is a program of Chicago Dancemakers Forum and the Regional Dance Development Initiative for Chicago, made possible by funding from The Reva and David Logan Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; and national support for the National Dance Project from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) elevates the art form of dance by committing time and resources to individual artists for in-depth exploration and creation. Through robust interchange among dancemakers, CDF catalyzes artistic and professional growth and builds broad support and appreciation for Chicago's diverse dance communities. Now in its second decade, CDF is the only Chicago-based organization dedicated solely to nurturing artistic advancement in dance. Visit chicagodancemakers.org to learn more.

High Concept Labs (HCL) supports artists and facilitates dialogue between artists, audiences and staff. This increases access and transparency to the artistic process and fosters transformational experiences in an environment of experimentation and discovery. Visit highconceptlabs.org to learn more.

NEFA builds connections among artists, arts organizations, and funders, powering the arts to energize communities in New England, the nation, and the world. NEFA is a nonprofit that operates in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the New England state arts agencies, with additional funding from foundations, corporations, individuals and other government agencies. NEFA's work is accomplished through grantmaking, services, and initiatives which strengthen and advance the national arts infrastructure. Visit nefa.org or call 617-951-0010 to learn more.