COMMITTED TO THE PRESENTATION AND PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Established in Chicago by international dance icon Ruth Page in 1970, The Ruth Page Foundation is a 501(c)3 private operating foundation committed to the education, promotion, and presentation of dance in Chicago. Emanating from the Illinois heartland, the visionary work of Ruth Page influenced the growth of theater design, opera ballet, and dance. She achieved worldwide recognition as a true pioneer of dance in America. Our mission is to promote Ms. Page’s vision of dance as an innovative and accessible art form, foster artistic excellence, and create a dance destination in Illinois.
To this end, The Foundation supports a number of vital initiatives in Chicago:
THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS is located in a historic 1927 building in the Gold Coast. Owned by The Foundation, the building houses a theater, school of dance, offices, and a dance library.
[Annually, The Center is visited by 30,000 people]
THE RUTH PAGE SUBSIDIZED THEATER AND STUDIO RENTAL PROGRAM is a subsidized rental program which allows professional performing artists to present their work at greatly reduced costs. We have a 200-seat theater and dance studios that are available for rental. Acting as a silent partner, The Ruth Page Foundation contributes two-thirds of the operating cost, helping companies meet their artistic and financial goals, while reducing the financial burden of a Chicago engagement. In addition to lighting and sound equipment, the Foundation provides event marketing, ticketing and box office support, and security staff. Approximately twenty Illinois dance companies rent the Theater annually. Our market research continues to show a marked increase in audience attendance for all performances from year to year. The press is often present and most shows at the center are reviewed.
[Annually, we serve over 20 different dance/theater companies over the course of 40 weeks; with an estimated audience of 11,000. The Foundation’s cost for this initiative is $116,000]
RUTH PAGE IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM is a home for working performing artists, providing support for shared resources and marketing opportunities. Companies currently in residence are: Civic Ballet of Chicago, Concert Dance, Inc., Lumen Siccum Productions (a technical support group directed by Margaret Nelson), Mordine & Company Dance Theatre, River North Chicago Dance Company, Ruth Page Dance Series, and Shaw Chicago Theater. In addition, “history met possibility on the Ruth Page Center Stage“ (Chicago Tribune) as the new in-resident partnership between DanceWorks Chicago and the Ruth Page Center was announced in 2008.
DanceWorks aims to promote dance training, collaboration and innovation. Our first collaborative program is called “DanceChance,” a moderated choreographery showcase similar to an open mic night in which participation is determined by lottery. The first free to the public performance was March 10, 2008. Since that performance, the Ruth Page Center Theater continues to be filled to capacity with a cross section of dance artists, patrons, general public and press. To date, we have presented 45 different choreographers to an estimated audience of 2,250.
[Annually, the Foundation’s cost for this inititative is $160,000]
THE RUTH PAGE SCHOOL OF DANCE provides the highest level of training to young dancers, professionals, and those who study dance for personal enrichment. The School is directed by Larry Long, considered to be one of the country’s finest dance educators. The School also awards $60,000 a year in tuition wavers to talented students. A professional dance training program is available for children between 3 and 20 years of age. Adults and professional level classes are also available.
[Annually, we serve over 16,000 students. The Foundation awards $60,000 in tuition wavers to talented students]
THE PRESERVATION AND PRESENTATION OF THE ORIGINAL DANCES CREATED BY RUTH PAGE. These works were groundbreaking in the world of dance when they were created in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, especially for ballets, and are evocative of a time and place in American history. Historically, socially and artistically significant, Ruth Page’s dances are crucial and timeless reminders of the creative spirit in American dance. Just as they did when they were first created, her dances still resonate with a uniquely American perspective, pushing the envelope of Americana themes. “Billy Sunday” featuring Harrison McEldowney was filmed and featured on WTTW in 2007. In 2008, the “Billy Sunday” documentary was nominated for an Emmy Award.
[The 2008 “Billy Sunday documentary was seen by over 100,000 people in the Chicagoland area]
THE RUTH PAGE DANCE SERIES, produced in conjunction with Northeastern Illinois University, supports the creation of new works by gifted Chicago choreographers. The Foundation and the Series also promote the performance of a number of works choreographed by Ruth Page, sustaining her legacy.
[Annually, the Series presents dance in two locations (Northeastern Illinois University and The Ruth Page Theater ) to an estimated audience of 3500.]
THE RUTH PAGE FESTIVAL OF DANCE AT RAVINIA presents local and national dance companies in a weeklong series of performances. In addition to the main stage presentation by one of Chicago’s large dance companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago or The Joffrey Ballet, several performances by small to mid-sized local companies have been added, creating a dance focus where audiences can see different styles of dance on several stages throughout the park.
[Annually, the Festival presents dance to an estimated audience of 5,000]
THE RUTH PAGE AWARD is given annually in Chicago to an individual or organization, and recognizes artistic excellence in the field of dance. The Award also includes a monetary component.