Time
02/06–02/27
Apply Here! Thodos Dance Chicago has been the proud home of New Dances (ND) for over 25 years. Originating with The Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble in 1983, ND came under the umbrella of TDC in 2000 and was in partnership with DanceWorks Chicago from 2018-2025. TDC is thrilled to announce New Dances / New Horizons (ND / NH), a new initiative providing support for early-career, Chicago-based choreographers through project-based microgrants. ND / NH will continue TDC’s goal to enrich and serve our vibrant commUNITY by shining a light on artists’ creativity and supporting opportunities for their continued growth, while building upon the New Dances (ND) legacy of developing choreographic talent in the Chicagoland community! CALLING ALL DANCEMAKERS: Early-career, Chicago and Chicagoland-based dancemakers working in any dance genre(s) are invited to apply for consideration to receive a microgrant of up to $500. WHO'S ELIGIBLE (ALL must apply): - Early-career, Chicago-based choreographers. - As New Dances / New Horizons is focused on supporting artists who have made a commitment to the Chicago community, please respect the residency requirement: Choreographer must reside in Chicago or a suburb of Chicago (within 60 miles of the city limits) as of Friday, February 27, 2026. - Choreographers who have created and publicly shown at least two works, one of which is independent of applicant’s college, university, conservatory, or company. WHAT’S SUPPORTED - Requests for funding in support of an element(s) of a project (people, things, and/or activities) occurring in the Chicagoland area during the grant period from Monday, March 30, 2026, to Tuesday, June 30, 2026. - Note: The final project does not need to be completed within the grant period. Only the specific element requested for funding needs to be completed within the grant period. - Element(s) should be an important facet of a project that is a new work and/or focuses on new ideas. - Projects that the grant supports must culminate in new work and/or new ideas to be shared in a public presentation by Thursday, December 31, 2026. WHAT’S EVALUATED - The Selection Committee will be evaluating applications based on the following: choreographic craft, movement invention, demonstration of commitment to investment in the community, project alignment and feasibility, and impact on career trajectory. Have questions about the New Dances / New Horizons application? Check out our FAQ guide here and join us for our information session on Tuesday, February 10 from 4:00 - 5:00pm CT! Can't attend the session or already missed it? Watch the recorded session here, which will be available to view on Wednesday, February 11 at 9:00am CT. Applications are due by 10:00am (Central time) on Friday, February 27, 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Key Dates / Commitments Include: - Grant Period: Monday, March 30, 2026 to Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - Mid-point Check In: Date to be mutually agreed upon between each choreographer and the ND / NH team. - Final Report: Due Friday, July 3, 2026 - Artist Celebration: Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 5:00-6:30pm - Final Assets: Assets are to be shared upon the completion of your project, including, but not limited to: photos, videos, etc. A date will be set with each grantee upon their selection, based on their project timeline. Reminder: completed projects must be shared and documented (via photo, video, etc.) in a public presentation by Thursday, December 31, 2026. New Dances / New Horizons 2026 Dancemakers will receive: - An award of up to $500, with 50% to be paid upon a mutually agreed upon check in point and the remaining 50% to be paid upon Final Report completion. Each applicant will hear back regarding the status of their application by Monday, March 23, 2026. We look forward to getting to know you and your work!