Formed in March 1996, The Dance COLEctive challenges assumptions about how dance is presented through cutting-edge choreography, innovative collaborations, and inspired and creative site-specific-works. TDC’s vision has led it to become one of Chicago’s premier dance ensembles, recognized for its compelling, socially relevant, and inspiring choreography. In fulfilling this mission and vision, TDC: • Embraces collaboration as a core element of its creative process • Values the athleticism, grace, power, and strength of its dancers • Nurtures and promotes the creativity of emerging artists TDC produces its own concerts and participates in multi-artist festivals, features site-specific work as an integral part of its annual repertoire and conducts multiple residencies annually. These residencies include performances, workshops, master classes, lecture demonstrations, and radio interviews, providing the Company an opportunity to work with people from a variety of communities. TDC maintains a strong presence in Chicago through community conducting workshop intensives, master classes, and lecture demonstrations at area high schools and colleges. Since 2001, the Company has held the Annual TDC Summer Intensive in Chicago and has recently added a satellite intensive in Chattanooga, TN. Artistic Director Margi Cole has received recognition for her contribution to the field of modern dance through awards such as the Illinois Arts Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship, a Chicago Dancemakers Forum grant, and the American Marshall Memorial Fellowship and currently serves as a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Consortium Member. TDC received its first grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for its Southeast Tour in March 2008.