The Greenhouse Program is a new program of the Chicago Dancemakers Forum that responds to the need for more mentorship and financial support opportunities for emerging choreographers in the Chicago dance community. The Greenhouse Program promotes artistic development in emerging choreographers through financial support for the creation of new work and by fostering a mentorship relationship from an established/mid-career artist in the city.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2011 GREENHOUSE AWARDEES

In January 2011, the five selected artists will be awarded $5000 each for the creation of new work. Of this amount, $4000 will be unrestricted (to be used at the discretion of the emerging artist), and $1000 will be awarded to the mentor. Additional support will include: electronic marketing via the CDF website and e-blasts during the grant period; a group feedback session in April with the other Greenhouse Artists, Consortium Members, and Mentors; and a modestly produced, shared concert at the culmination of the program in June 2011.

Much like CDF's year-long Lab Artist Award program, he intent of the six-month Greenhouse program is to support artistic development in the community's emerging artist population.  Greenhouse Artists may elect to use the funds to pay themselves, pay dancers and/or collaborators, rent rehearsal space, etc. In keeping with the mission of the program, greenhouse artists are discouraged from using a large percentage of their overall budget for promotional expenses, website design, or other promotional expenses, keeping the focus of the grant on the creative process.