Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) is a catalyst for innovation and a means to increase dynamic interaction among Chicago's dancemakers. Launched in 2003, CDF was created in response to an ongoing need to fund the research and development of new directions in dance. The program is designed to cultivate artistic exploration and growth by funding dance artists in their creative process. CDF also hosts workshops, work-in-progress feedback sessions, and critical forums and discussions for the broader Chicago dance community.

CDF is led by a consortium comprised of two independent dance artists, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Links Hall, and The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.

CDF's primary component is the Lab Artist Program, focusing specifically on supporting the artistic growth of a select group of Chicago dancemakers. Geared toward substantial financial impact and artist exchange, CDF supports four individual dancemakers each year. Grants of $15,000 are bolstered with a year-long program of mentorship and feedback from the CDF consortium and peer artists. Roundtable meetings and progress showings foster exchange about artistic, critical, and resource issues.

The Lab Artist program supports artistic exploration, research, and development that leads to production of a new work, culminating in public performances. The select choreographers are active in their field and developing a distinctive trajectory in their work. They possess the skills and experience to undertake a larger project of extended scale, and the capacity to benefit from an environment of artistic interchange.

To date, CDF has awarded $420,000 in grants, making a substantial impact on the Chicago dance community. The Lab Artists supported by CDF are an aesthetically and culturally diverse group.

Bonnie Brooks chairs the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, where she is a tenured faculty member. She oversees the department's academic program and co-curates the Dance Center's contemporary dance presenting series with executive director Phil Reynolds. A native of Washington DC, she has held numerous administrative posts in the dance field, including executive directorships at Dance/USA (Washington, DC) and the Minnesota Dance Alliance (Twin Cities), and serving as managing director of the David Gordon/Pick Up Co in New York City. She began her work in arts administration at the National Endowment for the Arts. Prior to joining the faculty at Columbia College Chicago, she was a visiting assistant professor in the Department of World Arts & Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles . She is working on a comprehensive history of the "arts wars" of the late 1980/s-early 1990's and occasionally tours as a resident lecturer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Brooks studied theater and English at Wheaton College (IL), and earned a master's degree, also in English, from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Peter Carpenter is an independent choreographer whose physical theater performances have often intersected with political activism and critical theory. He has dedicated the majority of his career to tracking the complex ways in which identity has been shaped in subaltern communities by HIV/AIDS. His independent work has resulted in numerous repertory pieces and four evening-length works including Bareback Into the Sunset (2003), which, since its premiere performance at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, Calif., has been seen in excerpted and full-length versions at numerous conferences and performances in Los Angeles in Chicago. Since returning to Chicago in 2005, Peter has worked as a collaborator with The Seldoms and Lucky Plush Productions and has presented his work in numerous festivals and independently. Peter holds an MFA in dance from UCLA and is currently writing his dissertation for a PhD in Culture and Performance Studies. He is a full-time faculty member at the Dance Center of Columbia College, Chicago and a 2008 Artistic Associate of Links Hall. Peter has received numerous grants and commissions for the creation of new work, and was a CDF Lab Artist in 2008.

Ginger Farley is a dance artist and advocate. She has worked in Chicago as a performer, dancemaker and teacher since 1978. She was an early member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a teacher for many years at the affiliate school, the Lou Conte Dance Studio, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. She directed the 58 Group with colleague Cameron Pfiffner from 1996 - 2001. She now produces her work independently, is part of the consortium that directs the Chicago Dancemakers Forum, a member of the Performance Committee at the MCA, and serves on the board of Links Hall.

Heather Hartley is the project director of the Chicago Dancemakers Forum, as well as an arts marketing professional and a multi-disciplinary artist.  She has served as the Marketing Director for two of Chicago's most highly respected dance organizations, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (2004-2006) and The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. (1998-2004). For the past fifteen years, she has had the pleasure of working with many constituents, participating on numerous committees and panels, including the Illinois Arts Council, the Arts and Business Council, and the National Arts Marketing consortium. As an artist, her work as an actress, dancer, choreographer and creator of original pieces has appeared in more than 30 productions in the Chicago area. Heather holds a MA degree in Interdisciplinary and Media Arts from Columbia College Chicago and a BFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina.

Roell Schmidt, Director of Links Hall, has been working in film, theater and arts administration since 1994. In addition to her organizational leadership experience, Ms. Schmidt has an impressive background as a producer in film and theater, with talents ranging from the administrative to the creative. Ms. Schmidt has directed the development, marketing, and/or artistic administration departments at Lookingglass Theatre Company and The Chicago Chamber Musicians, and worked in production at the Athenaeum Theatre and on independent films throughout Chicago. She is a playwright and multi-media producer, has received three CAAP grants and was awarded a Ragdale Artist Residency in 2008. As the Director of Marketing for The Chicago Chamber Musicians, Roell played an important role in Audience Development and spearheaded innovative use of new electronic media. She acted as Director of Artistic Administration and Director of Development at Lookinglass Theatre Company during a period of rapid growth for the company. Roell led ground-breaking programming, increased audience attendance and was at the forefront of the Capital Campaign responsible for Lookingglass Theatre Company's move to Water Tower Water Works.  

Peter Taub directs the performing arts programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago. He has over twenty years experience in curating, arts management, and artist-centered activities with a broad emphasis on cross-disciplinary performance, dance, and music, He has developed artists-in-residence projects, touring projects, and commissions of new works with a wide range of artists including Meg Stuart/Damaged Goods, The Builders Association, Reggie Wilson/ Fist & Heel Performance Group, Emio Greco|PC, Roger Guenveur Smith, William Kentridge/ Handspring Puppet Company, and Ernest Khabeer Dawkins, among others. Prior to joining the MCA, he directed Randolph Street Gallery, an innovative artist-run forum for socially engaged artists in all media. He has participated in policy committees and boards for a range of Chicago-based cultural organizations.