Chicago Human Rhythm Project Leads American Rhythm Center

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) has announced the establishment of the American Rhythm Center (ARC), a new initiative to provide a shared, affordable and sustainable education, rehearsal and administrative facility for several leading Chicago arts organizations. This new institution will be located in renovated spaces at Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue.

CHRP will develop ARC, a collaborative effort to foster community growth through rhythmic expression, in several phases. The aim is to offer diverse, high-quality dance and movement classes to the general public while centralizing the education programs, rehearsal space and administrative offices of several core groups, as well as additional emerging companies and independent artists.

The idea for ARC grew from a CHRP strategic planning process followed by intensive, collaborative planning with participating community partners, including; Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Giordano Dance Chicago, Kalapriya, Center for Indian Performing Arts, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Ping Pong Productions, River North Dance Chicago.

In the first phase of development, CHRP is updating space occupied for three decades by the Boitsov Ballet, which will feature three professional, flexible-use studios ranging from 750 to 1,500 square feet, as well as a remodeled lobby, dressing rooms and a separate floor of administrative offices.

In the second and third phases, CHRP will add supplemental program space, a black box theater and updated administrative facilities. Limited operations will begin at the end of July in conjunction with CHRP’s 22nd annual Rhythm World Festival.