Information for Mentors for The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award recipients

 
 

Widely considered to be the founder of contemporary Modern dance in Chicago, Shirley Mordine was a visionary dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator. Her five-decade career in Chicago included founding the Dance Department at Columbia College Chicago, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, and originating the college’s revered Dance Presenting Series. A prolific artist, Shirley founded and served as Artistic Director of Mordine & Company Dance Theater from 1969 to 2019. Her contributions sparked and encouraged a vibrant, enduring Chicago dance community.

As a living legacy to honor Shirley Mordine’s dedication and prolific contribution to Chicago and contemporary dance, and her prodigious and life-long love of dance making, the Award is a $1,000 cash grant plus mentorship support for early-to-mid career Chicago choreographers.  

An awarded choreographer may use their cash grant for any purpose that furthers their dancemaking and is expected to produce a new choreographic work within 12 months of receiving the Award. 

A panel of Chicago dance leaders will select two choreographers to each receive The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award in December 2026.

Recognition and Support Along the Choreographic Journey

Receiving recognition and support at pivotal moments in her life and career, Shirley Mordine dedicated her life to dance. She was committed to returning these kindnesses.

A part of the living legacy of The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award is the opportunity for experienced leaders and practitioners with diverse backgrounds to provide in-kind mentoring support to awarded choreographers.

Mentors volunteer their time to contribute to Chicago’s dance ecosystem by supporting choreographers as a sounding board, subject matter expert, connector, outside eye, etc.

Awarded choreographers are encouraged but not required to engage with mentors.

Mentor roles and responsibilities

Mentors provide a bio, areas of expertise, and preferred contact information that will be shared with awarded choreographers as a network of in-kind supporters during the calendar year following receipt of The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award.

Mentors agree to respond to interested awarded choreographers quickly and work directly with them to determine scope and duration of mentorship engagement. 

The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award recommends a number of touchpoints as driven by the needs of the awarded choreographer over the course of the year. Touchpoints can include but are not required or limited to:

  • A kick-off conversation

  • A mid-point conversation

  • Attending the awarded choreographer’s performance

  • An end-of-project recap conversation.

Mentors commit to serving for one year. Mentors who wish to continue to be part of the network of support for future awarded choreographers may do so for up to three consecutive years.

Note

Mentors may or may not be contacted during their year of service. If a mentor is not contacted, it does not reflect negatively on the mentors’ experience, wisdom, skills, or value to the dance ecosystem. The intention of The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award is to provide access to additional in-kind support but not to require that the awarded choreographers follow a prescribed path.

Panelists who participate in the selection process are allowed, but not required, to serve as mentors.