Mentorship: 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.
Being a mentor
Mentors serve as a network of in-kind supporters during the calendar year following a choreographer receiving 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.
If you are interested in being a Mentor, please provide a bio, your areas of expertise, and preferred contact information to danceinfo@colum.edu,
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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.
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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.
The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Fund
Shirley Mordine lived and created from 1936 to 2025. The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Fund was established in 2026 by her family, friends and colleagues to honor and continue her dedication to dance education and performance and to the City of Chicago.
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago facilitates The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Awards through the support of the Fund.
Your gift to The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Fund helps award more money to more choreographers to make more dances. 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes to awarded choreographers. Thank you for contributing.
