FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -September 10, 2021, 8:00am CST

Chicago Dancemakers Forum Executive Director, Ginger Farley, has announced she will be completing her tenure as of December 31, 2021 after seven years of in-kind leadership service. Board Chair Angel Ysaguirre shares, “On behalf of the Chicago dance communities and our board and staff, we thank Ginger for her incredible contributions and are working closely with her to transition to the next chapter of our artist-centered work.”

Under Farley’s leadership, Chicago Dancemakers Forum has raised more than $1 million to support local dancemakers; attracted the Regional Dance Development Initiative, a national stimulus for dance, to Chicago, culminating in Elevate Chicago Dance 2017 and 2018; and engaged board, community stakeholders and artists in the creation of a five-year strategic plan which addresses diversity, equity and inclusion in addition to succession and sustainability for the future of the organization. The plan identifies an expanded vision of city-wide collaboration in support of dancemakers.

Farley has worked in Chicago as a dancer and dancemaker and as an advocate for live art since 1978. She was part of Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s first cohort of Lab Artists in 2003, the program’s inaugural year. Subsequently she served first as project director and then consortium member until 2015, when she became Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s first executive director. She initiated and successfully completed a capital campaign that secured the Lab Artists program grants for a multi-year period while building a sound and dynamic non-profit organization.

The Board will immediately commence a search to identify a new leader for the organization. The full job description is available here, with a deadline for applicants of October 6th. In coordination, a capital campaign committee, co-chaired by board member Kim D. Ricardo, has launched a fundraising initiative to build a bridge to paid leadership. The campaign will support a competitive salary for three years and secure future grants to Chicago’s dancemakers.

The board and staff invite all to join them on Thursday, December 9 for Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s 2021 Awards Celebration and Fundraiser, which will be Farley’s final event as executive director. The evening will include performance, a celebration of the organization, and the announcement of the 2022 Lab Artists.

Media Contact: Shawn Lent, Programs and Communications Director, shawn@chicagodancemakers.org

Image: Emma Petersen Photography