What defines and distinguishes Chicago dance and the city's dance community? Many dance styles converge and coexist in Chicago, from ballet and flamenco to jazz, tap, contemporary/modern, house, and dances from around the world. Influenced not only by early European dance styles and trends, but also by Indigenous communities and their dances, Chicago continues to serve as a uniquely wide-ranging hub for dance.

In order to understand the brilliance of the Chicago dance community today, it is necessary to uncover its history. The Legacy of Chicago Dance explored this vast and rich history through the Newberry Library's extensive dance collection—much of which is derived from the archives of Chicago's powerhouse dancers, choreographers, teachers, and companies.

Many leaders in the world of dance got their start in Chicago and its surrounding regions. Choreographers, dancers, and founders of dance companies not only performed in Chicago, but some stayed and continued their work in the Windy City. Many were born and raised in the area and developed their artistic forms in Chicago throughout their lives. Others left Chicago and returned later on, bringing back new stylistic influences that would be absorbed into the Chicago dance culture.

This exhibition was curated by Alison Hinderliter and Samantha Smith, of the Newberry's Modern Manuscripts Section.

The Legacy of Chicago Dance exhibition was generously supported by Patti Selander Eylar and Charles Gardner and Diane and Richard Weinberg. Additional support was provided by the Rosaline G. Cohn Endowment for Exhibitions. Support for public programs for The Legacy of Chicago Dance was provided by Cindy and Stephen Mitchell and the Morrison-Shearer Foundation.

Explore the Newberry's Midwest Dance Collection, which encompasses over 3,200 books and periodicals on dance history, as well as over 80 manuscript collections from dancers, dance companies, dance schools and studios, and other dance affiliates. Download a PDF flyer about upcoming dance-related public programs to post and distribute.

Your generosity is vital in keeping the library's programs, exhibitions, and reading rooms free and accessible to everyone. Make a donation today.