Founded in 1973, the mission of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company (MJDC) is to awaken, provoke and encourage a deeper inquiry about oneself and the world by creating new work, nurturing dancers and choreographers and engaging audiences. The Company has facilitated the development and presentation of Margaret Jenkins’ canon of more than 75 works and presents itself annually in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as on tour nationally and internationally.

The MJDC has an extensive history of unique collaborations that inspire creative risks for artists and audiences, and ultimately generate new forms. The MJDC’s most recent projects have involved the creation of dances across geographic and cultural boundaries – by collaborating with dancers in India for “A Slipping Glimpse,” and with dancers in China for “Other Suns.” Built over time and across continents, the completed works premiered in San Francisco, followed by tours in the US and around the globe.

In 2004, the MJDC launched Choreographers in Mentorship Exchange (CHIME), an innovative mentorship program that fosters creative exchange and long-term relationships between emerging and established choreographers. Building on the immense success of the program in the Bay Area, CHIME has expanded to southern California, continuing a tradition of Jenkins’ commitment to the growth and health of the field. In 2010, the MJDC launched the pilot year of CHIME Across Borders, which introduces San Francisco artists to national and international masters of dance.

GRANTS AWARDED

In 2010, the Foundation supported Light Moves, a collaboration with multi-media artist Naomie Kremer, composer Paul Dresher and poet Michael Palmer to premiere in November 2011.