Chicago Dancemakers Forum 2024 Lab Artists Program

Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s Lab Artists Program is the most substantial source of support for individual dancemakers and choreographers working in the Chicagoland area with an open call process. In 2024, four local dancemakers will each receive a grant of $25,000 USD along with a year of tailored support.The Lab Artists Program is designed for dancemakers at an important juncture in their career and/or artistic trajectory, actively taking risks and experimenting, and poised to invest in their artistic practice with greater depth or scale. Rather than having a fixed approach, the Lab Year is an experiment in itself, responsive to each artist’s individual goals, timeline, and changing needs.

Eligible artists have until Monday, September 18, 2023 at 5pm CT to apply. A panel will select 10 Finalists who will each receive $500, the option of public recognition, and professional development resources. The four 2024 Lab Artists will be randomly selected from the pool of Finalists in November.

Past Lab Artists are diverse in age, gender, race, local geography, and dance discipline, working in Tap, Bharatanatyam, Chicago Footwork, dance for the camera, Voguing, contemporary, modern dance, and more. Many of these artists have built national audiences and international recognition since receiving support from Chicago Dancemakers Forum and, collectively, represent the distinct power of dance made in Chicago.

This 21st year of the program is open to all eligible dancemakers but will prioritize artists that we recognize have historically been underrepresented in the program – Indigenous, Immigrant, Trans and Non-Binary, Parent/Caregiver, and/or Disabled Artists.