Shirley Mordine (1936-2025) was a visionary dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator. Her five-decade career in Chicago included founding the Dance Department at Columbia College Chicago, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, and originating the College’s revered Dance Presenting Series. A prolific choreographer, Shirley founded and served as Artistic Director of Mordine & Company Dance Theater from 1969 to 2019. Her contributions sparked and encouraged a vibrant, enduring Chicago dance community.
The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Fund is an endowed fund established in 2026 by Shirley Mordine’s family, friends, and colleagues to provide Chicago-area early-to-mid career choreographers with unrestricted grants and mentorship support to create new work.
The annual Awards are a living legacy honoring Shirley’s dedication and prolific contributions to Chicago dance and her prodigious and life-long love of dance making.
Your tax-deductible gift to The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Fund helps award more money to more choreographers to make more dances.
Thank you!