WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

The Dancers’ Fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals diagnosed with a critical health need.

COVID-19

We are heartbroken over the devastating effect COVID-19 is having on our Chicago dance community. In response to the pandemic and our overwhelming desire to help, Chicago Dancers United is temporarily expanding the scope of grants available from The Dancers’ Fund. While we must adhere to our mission and continue to provide financial support to dance professionals diagnosed with a critical health need, for a limited time we will offer restricted one-time grants to cover additional medical expenses.

If you feel this applies to you, please review The Dancers’ Fund criteria and apply today. Because of the magnitude of the crisis, we anticipate that requests will exceed the funds we have available to distribute. We will nevertheless continue to support the professional Chicago dance community to the best of our ability as we move forward together during this unprecedented time.

Who is eligible?
The Dancers’ Fund provides assistance to:

company dancers
freelance dancers
choreographers
musical theatre chorus dancers
full-time dance instructors
full-time class and rehearsal musicians
full-time administrative, production and technical personnel

Other dance professionals will be considered on a case-by-case basis

How much can I get?

The Dancers’ Fund may provide up to $4,000 annually to a dance professional facing a critical health need.

Alternatively, eligible dance professionals can apply for restricted one-time grants of up to $500 for incurred medical expenses that may not be deemed critical.

NOTES:

The Dancers’ Fund is intended for short-term financial assistance. It is not intended for long-term or recurring support.
Funds will be paid directly to the organization/person to which the debt it owed, NOT to the dance professional.

What will The Dancers’ Fund pay for?

The Dancers’ Fund may pay for costs associated with:

doctor and hospital visits
surgery
medical testing
therapy
rehabilitation
medication

In some cases, assistance may be provided for:

home health care
housing
utilities
insurance
other basic needs

$500 one-time grants in response to COVID-19 may be provided for:

Health insurance premiums and copayments
Current or outstanding medical bills dated on or after January 1, 2020
Current or outstanding dental bills dated on or after January 1, 2020
Current or outstanding bills for mental health sessions dated on or after January 1, 2020

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We are in this together

Dance For Life: United As One
August 10-15, 2020

A Digital Event:
Six Days of Past Performances and a World Premiere

VISIT THE DANCE FOR LIFE MICROSITE

Due to social distancing guidelines from the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, Dance for Life 2020 will shift from a live performance to a digital event.

August 10-14

See works archived from Dance for Life performances during the past 29 years

Visit the Dance For Life 2020 Microsite

including the annual partner dance companies:
Giordano Dance Chicago
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
The Joffrey Ballet

and:
Hanna Brictson and Dancers, Chicago Dance Crash, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Muntu Dance Theatre, River North Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, and a collaborative work by Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ensemble Español, and Trinity Irish Dance Company.

Saturday, August 15

Celebrate with a World Premiere

The culminating event, commemorating the originally planned date for the 29th anniversary of Dance for Life at the Auditorium Theatre, will feature a world premiere choreographed by Hanna Brictson in response to COVID-19 with dancers from throughout the Chicago area.

Each year, we come together to raise awareness and financial support for our friends and loved ones in need. Your continued support of Dance For Life is helping The Dancers’ Fund to provide short-term financial support in times of critical health need and helps AIDS Foundation of Chicago to mobilize diverse communities across Illinois to provide housing, care and advocacy for people living with HIV so that we can achieve zero new HIV cases in Illinois by 2030. And last but not least, you are helping Chicago Dancers United eliminate the disparities that lead to crisis by cultivating pathways to holistic wellness of the body, mind and spirit for a more healthful, inspired, vibrant and thriving artistic community. Working together, we are changing the future for good. Together, WE DANCE FOR LIFE.

BENEFITING

2020 PRESENTING SPONSOR

Optum Specialty is a leading specialty pharmacy services company dedicated to helping administer and deliver high-quality, cost-effective specialty pharmacy care. Optum Specialty Pharmacy combines technology, data and expertise to provide educational resources, 24/7 pharmacy support and trusted advice to the individuals, caregivers and care teams we serve.

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

FUNDERS

Dance For Life is funded in part by:

HOST COMMITTEE

Michael Anderson • Sandi Cooksey • Randy Duncan • Glenn Edgerton • Patti S Eylar • Paula Friedman • Nan Giordano • Mark Gomez • Elizabeth Halajian • Roderick Hawkins • Andrew Kanfer • Julie Kaplan • Harrison McEldowney • Kevin McGirr • Michael McStraw • Robert Neubert and Barry Brunetti • John Peller and David Jablonowski • Jeremy Plummer • Rich Regan • Harriet Ross • Sara Schumann • Brian W Smuts • Richard Turner • Modesto Tico Valle • Aaron Weiss • Ashley Wheater • Michael Ziener

We dance for life

DANCE DIVAS

“High heels and high camp”

benefiting The Dancers’ Fund

Dance Divas is a glamorous three night showcase featuring Chicago’s leading professional male dancers impersonating the famous dancing women of stage, screen and pop music. All proceeds support Chicago Dancer United’s mission and cause to strengthen the Chicago dance community by supporting The Dancers' Fund and HIV/AIDS initiatives in Chicago.

More details coming soon!

TICKETS COMING SOON

We dance for life

Chicago Dancers United improves the lives of dance professionals by cultivating pathways to holistic wellness of the body, mind and spirit.

We say “body, mind and spirit” because wellness is more than just physical health. In order to live well, one must have equitable access to preventative health care, sick and injury care, crisis care, mental and emotional health care, nutritious foods, safe housing, financial security and a welcoming community in which to live, work and create.

The pathways to holistic wellness that Chicago Dancers United and our partners are cultivating don’t just serve dance professionals. By addressing the systemic social and cultural barriers to wellness for the dance community, we are addressing systemic social and cultural barriers for everyone in Chicagoland. By working together, with sometimes unexpected partners, we unite our time, talent and treasure to better serve and uplift everyone.

In place of our in-person Spring Wellness Fair, Chicago Dancers United has partnered with See Chicago Dance to provide virtual programming for Dance Health Month 2020.

Please join us for live, online talks throughout the month of May designed to help dance professionals navigate the current crisis and prepare for life after the closures and cancellations. If you miss any of the presentations, video recordings will be available on the See Chicago Dance website.

DON’T MISS THE FINALE!

Dance Health Month ends with a spectacular happy hour Zoom dance party featuring music by DJ Drew Jensen of Fun House Entertainment on Friday, May 29 at 4:30 PM.

REGISTER NOW