Dance
A successful education in dance requires strength and flexibility of body, mind, and imagination. Pursuing a dance degree offers students the opportunity to fully commit their bodies, minds, and imaginations to learning and accomplishment in one of the world's oldest forms of physical, spiritual and artistic expression.
The mission of The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is to provide our students with a superior contemporary dance education in the context of higher learning. We fulfill this mission through the work of a qualified, professional faculty, a comprehensive curriculum that offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts tracks, world-class guest artists, and a nationally recognized dance performance season.
Our students become part of Chicago's thriving arts community, where they are encouraged to audition for professional opportunities; meet and study with working dance artists, and develop their own distinctive artistic voice in dance. As a student, you will be challenged and you will grow. Are you ready? If so, consider joining us at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
We welcome inquiries concerning our program and encourage prospective students to visit and observe classes. To make an appointment or for more information, please call 312.369.8353 or send an email to: danceinfo@colum.edu
About The Dance Center
The Dance Center was established in 1969 to house Columbia College Chicago's Dance Department and has grown into a nationally respected academic program. Challenging technique courses across a range of styles, combined with the study of improvisation, composition, dance history and theory, music, and technical theater, provide students with essential learning and practice preparing them for professional and graduate endeavors in dance. Many of these classes are also open to the public. The Dance Center's faculty is comprised of working artists, enhanced by an array of visiting artist teachers of national and international stature.
In 1974, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago established a performance series dedicated to presenting contemporary dance of national and international significance, representing the highest-quality and most innovative work in the field and to providing Chicago audiences with opportunities to witness the diversity of contemporary dance in professional settings.Since it first opened its doors, The Dance Center has presented more than 230 professional companies and choreographers. The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago has firmly established its central position in the vitality of Chicago dance, and the United States.
To find out more about The Dance Center's Performance Season,
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Among the important dance artists and companies who have enjoyed Chicago debuts at The Dance Center are: Richard Alston Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Tandy Beal, Ronald K. Brown, Chandralekha, H.T. Chen, Martha Clarke, Compagnie JANT-BI, Molissa Fenley, George Piper Dances, David Gordon, Erik Hawkins, The Holy Body Tattoo, Margaret Jenkins, Bill T. Jones, Liz Lerman, Bella Lewitzky, Lyon Opera Ballet, Susan Marshall, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, David Parsons, Stephen Petronio, Quasar Dance Company, Random Dance Company, David Rousseve, Kei Takei, Urban Bush Women, Doug Varone, Wim Vandekeybus, and Kota Yamazaki.
Twenty-three new dance works commissioned by The Dance Center have led to twenty-four Chicago premieres, an unparalleled contribution to the development of the nation's dance artists.
Along with the expansion of its public programming, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago has also extended the reach of its public education and outreach initiatives over the past decade. Through its community outreach and education initiatives, The Dance Center seeks to deepen appreciation and understanding of contemporary dance and contribute to the health of Chicago communities.