We at the Morrison-Shearer Foundation are thrilled to announce a new funding partnership with 3Arts for this year’s Dance Award. The recipient is Robby Lee Williams, who embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication that both our organizations seek to foster.
“The partnership between Morrison-Shearer Foundation and 3Arts is a testament to our shared commitment to nurturing and celebrating dance excellence and opening doors for talented artists,” says MSF Board Chair, Alida Szabo.
More than just financial support, the partnership is a fusion of visions and a multiplication of impact. By joining forces with 3Arts, an organization renowned for its dedication to Chicago’s artists, we’re amplifying our ability to support and elevate artists who are pushing the boundaries of their craft.
MSF Board Chair, Alida Szabo, congratulates 2024 3Arts/Morrison-Shearer Foundation Dance Awardee, Robby Lee Williams.
As one of ten awardees who have been selected by national jury panels to receive $30,000 awards, Robby Lee Williams, is a Black, Latiné, disabled dancer in the Chicago area. He focuses on works that foster and elevate other artists in disabled and unified spaces in hopes to continue the momentum by his peers and predecessors.
Williams’ journey resonates with the Foundation’s mission to inspire and nurture the creative processes of artists. His achievement is a celebration for our entire community – a reminder of the power of dance to move, challenge, and transform.
In addition to the monetary award, this recognition opens doors for Robby to access 3Arts’ career-spanning support that includes residency fellowships, project funding, peer mentorship, professional development, and more.
The impact of this partnership extends beyond a single artist. It strengthens the fabric of our dance community, creating a ripple effect that will inspire and encourage other artists. It’s a statement of our collective belief in the importance of dance and our commitment to ensuring its vibrant future.
We invite you to join us in this celebration. Whether you’re a fellow artist, a dance enthusiast, or someone curious about the power of movement, you’re part of this story. Your support, your attendance at performances, your conversations about dance – all of these contribute to the ecosystem that allows artists like Robby Lee Williams to thrive.
As we look to the future, we’re excited about the possibilities this partnership creates. We’re not just funding an award; we’re investing in dreams, in artistic growth, and in the cultural richness of our community. Together with 3Arts, and with your continued support, we’re dancing towards a Future where creativity knows no bounds.
Let’s continue to move, to create, and to celebrate the art that moves us all. Here’s to Robby Lee Williams, to the power of partnership, and to the endless possibilities that lie in the world of dance.
