ABOUT DANCE AVONDALE

Founded in 2017 as a DBA of Noumenon Dance Ensemble and incorporated in 2019, Dance Avondale exists to remove barriers to the arts. Dance Avondale recognizes that dance, adult fitness, and aerial arts education and performance opportunities are often reserved for those with financial privilege, excluding many from these transformative experiences. Through affordable tuition, inclusive programming, and community-centered performances, Dance Avondale provides high-quality arts education to a diverse community across more than a dozen Chicago neighborhoods.

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Dance Avondale began as an arts partner with the Chicago Park District. After seven years of growth, it became an anchor tenant at The Logan Foundation’s performance arts facility and event space called Movement on Montrose in Albany Park, expanding its class offerings from dance and fitness to aerial arts. Aerial silks launched in 2024, followed by aerial lyra in 2025. Annual performances increased from two to six, reaching an estimated 750 audience members in 2025. In 2024, Dance Avondale expanded access through ongoing partnerships with the North River Commission, providing out-of-school-time programming in Albany Park elementary schools, and with the Chicago Children's Museum, offering on-site dance classes at Active Days of Play.

 

Dance Avondale maintains tuition at $14 per instructional hour, while ensuring excellence through a faculty in which over 90% hold BA, BFA, or MFA degrees. The organization supports the creative economy by employing professional teaching artists at highly competitive hourly wages, all of whom identify as BIPOC or come from historically marginalized communities. By combining accessible arts education, wellness programming, youth performance opportunities, community partnerships, and a commitment to reinforcing the viability of the Chicago creative economy, Dance Avondale advances access, participation, and workforce equity.