The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award

About The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award 

Shirley Mordine was a visionary dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator. The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award provides Chicago-area early-to-mid career choreographers with unrestricted grants via a short application and process. The Award honors Shirley’s dedication and prolific contributions to Chicago dance and her prodigious and life-long love of dance making.

Recognizing the many roles required to make dance, unrestricted $1,000 grants are awarded annually to assist choreographers in paying for the essentials in creating and producing, including but not limited to music recording, music rights, costume design or construction, operations, marketing, space rental, childcare, dancer wages or honoraria, etc.

In addition to financial support, the Award provides access to established dance professionals for guidance, advice, and mentorship.

About Shirley Mordine

Shirley Mordine’s 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 now in its 53rd Season. 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.

Eligibility

Early-to-mid career choreographers living in the greater Chicago area are invited to apply. Applicants may have, but are not required to have, an association with Columbia College Chicago. Current faculty, staff, and students at the time of application are not eligible.

2026 Timeline

Applications open: September 24, 2026
Applications close: October 23, 2026
Awards celebration: December 17, 2026

Follow Up and Reporting

Awarded choreographers are expected to premiere their proposed new work in 2027. Working within the Awarded choreographer’s timeline and proposed workflow, a virtual mid-project update and end-of-project recap will be scheduled. The intent of these meetings is to support the awarded choreographers and to learn more as to how The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Awards can be adapted for greater impact. By design, the meetings will be conversational and helpful without placing undue burden on awarded choreographers. No written final report will be required.

The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Fund

The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Fund was established by Shirley Mordine’s family at Columbia College Chicago, an institution with deep Chicago roots dating back more than 135 years. 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 here.