See Chicago Dance is here for you. Our collection of dance and dance-related research and resources is curated to increase transparency around subjects of artist aid, development, and equity. This page aims to be as comprehensive as possible, but things change fast. If you have an update or new resources you'd like to share, please reach out to us.
If you aren’t sure what to do, or what’s next for you or your organization, you are not alone, we are here to help however we can. Email us at info@seechicagodance.com or call our offices at (312) 846-6357 and we will direct your call to a staff or board member that can help.
Grants/Fellowships
Forefront: The premier resource for networking and education, information and knowledge, and leadership and advocacy on behalf of philanthropy and nonprofits in Illinois.
Foundation Center: An online database (both free and with subscription) that allows grant searches by state, funding focus, etc.
Health
Dance Health Month (2020): A See Chicago Dance resource featuring articles, online classes, and virtual workshops focusing on all aspects of dancer health.
Day of Dancer Health (2019): A See Chicago Dance online resource for information on anxiety, sleep hygiene, basic nutrition tips, and a master exercise guide.
The Dancers’ Resource: Recognizing that the situations faced by injured dancers are all-encompassing in terms of both life and career, the program was started to create a support system that addresses the needs of dancers.
Service Organizations and Aid Resources
Dance/USA: Dance/USA sponsors council meetings for member artists and groups to meet and discuss current issues and trends in the field, to network in a peer-to-peer, collaborative environment.
Pentacle: Collaborating with performing artists to design and provide unique and robust programs of support at critical stages in their careers.
Fractured Atlas: Fractured Atlas empowers artists, arts organizations, and other cultural sector stakeholders by eliminating practical barriers to artistic expression, so as to foster a more agile and resilient cultural ecosystem.
Unemployment Information for Illinois: Connective information about finding benefits, insurance and more from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
So You Want To Start A Relief Fund: A quick pdf guide on how to start and manage an emergency relief fund, from Springboard for the Arts.
Association of Performing Arts Professionals: Various resources pertaining to preparing and sustaining a disaster/emergency relief fund for arts organizations.
Technology
TechSoup: Connecting your nonprofit, charity, or public library with technology products, plus the free learning resources you need to make informed decisions about technology.
Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN): Membership organization of nonprofit technology professionals. Helps nonprofits use all aspects of technology more effectively with webinars, access to new research and industry reports and IT trainings.
Research:
"Hear Chicago Dance: Stories and Insights of the Lived Experiences of Dancers" (2025): A new podcast mini series by See Chicago Dance in partnership with Polyrhythmic and Cove Collective, exploring the diverse and dynamic dance community of Chicago, celebrating the voices and stories that make it thrive.
"Mapping the Dance Landscape in Chicagoland" (2019): In 2002, Dance/USA published a groundbreaking study about Chicagoland’s dance community. Seventeen years later, Candid, Sustain Arts, and See Chicago Dance came together to update the data to reveal the opportunities and challenges facing dancers, dance organizations, and the sector as a whole.
"Public Funding for Art: Chicago Compared with 12 Peer Regions" (2014): Supported in part by Arts Alliance Illinois, and with the cooperation of several local arts agencies, including Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special events, and of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.This study compares the direct public dollars received by organizations and artists in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Diego, and San Francisco from 2002-2012.
"Building New Audiences for Dance" (2014): With support from the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, See Chicago Dance (formerly Audience Architects) retained CBWhite to enhance understanding of current dance patrons through a market research survey. The survey analyzes and investigates motivations and barriers to attendance for 1,400 dance ticket buyers in the Chicago area. The significant findings can help dance organizations tailor and target their marketing tactics and campaigns.
SMID Study Report (2005): Serving Dance in Chicago: A Planning Process for Small to Mid-sized Companies and Independent Artists by Suzanne Callahan with Brooke Bellot
Page Updated on 2/21/2025 @ 4:52 pm CST
