CHICAGO, IL.- The Art Institute of Chicago announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the internationally praised and locally celebrated Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC). Over the coming ten months, from September 2009 through June 2010, HSDC will create original movement pieces within the context of the Art Institute's renowned permanent collection of modern and contemporary art. HSDC is scheduled to present six performances and two discussions, all rooted in innovative dance, music, and visual arts, at the Art Institute. Additionally, dancers will be performing in the museum throughout the year on an unannounced schedule, surprising and delighting museum visitors with impromptu appearances and improvisations. The season's collaboration concludes with the Choreographic Workshop Performance, "Inside/Out," on June 17, 2010 , when the full company of Hubbard Street dancers will showcase the works they have choreographed throughout the year in response to art on view in the museum's Modern Wing galleries.

"This collaboration with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is truly a first for the Art Institute and for museums," said James Cuno, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute. "This partnership will allow visitors to see the creative process in action, from the spark of inspiration through the rigors of development to final pieces, performed at the site of their inception. We here at the museum are very much looking forward to learning about our own collection from the HSDC dancers. They are offering us a completely new perspective on shape, movement, energy, and motion, and it will be a thrill for all of us at the Art Institute to see our works come to life through the superb talents of Hubbard Street."

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is a major partner of the museum for the upcoming season 500 Ways of Looking at Modern , a celebration of the opening of the Art Institute's Modern Wing. The season title, inspired by poet Wallace Stevens's "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," unites the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, HSDC, and Poetry Foundation to present a yearlong exploration of those moments in history in which conventions were overturned and individuals and ideas became the engines of significant change. Featuring such major exhibitions as Apostles of Beauty: Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago and Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917 , the season also offers a weekly series of performances, readings, and lectures looking at "modern" from the perspective of artists, curators, dancers, museum directors, musicians, poets, and scholars. Each event offers a fresh way of "looking." All events are free of charge and occur on Thursdays at 6:00 in Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute, except where noted. For the entire season's schedule, visit the Art Institute's Web site at www.artinstituteofchicago.org.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, under the artistic leadership of Glenn Edgerton, is among the most original forces in contemporary dance. Critically acclaimed for its exuberant, athletic and innovative repertory, HSDC presents performances that inspire, challenge and engage audiences worldwide. Visit hubbardstreetdance.com for more information about the company and the 2009-10 Chicago performance dates.

HSDC RESIDENCY AT THE ART INSTITUTE
All events are FREE and scheduled for Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm in Fullerton Hall, unless noted. Throughout the year, HSDC dancers will also offer unscheduled impromptu performances in the Modern Wing.

September 24: Disturb the Universe--In Search of Modern
Bold and evocative French writers and artists crafted modernism in the immediate moment of contemporary life. Goodman Theatre actors cite memorable passages from writers such as Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Rimbaud, and Bréton, while dancers from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago improvise in response. Presented with Poetry Foundation.

October 29: HSDC Installed
Dancers from Hubbard Street 2 enliven Griffin Court with choreography inspired by works of art in the museum's collection.

November 27, 11:00 am: Wreathing of the Lions
HSDC dancers celebrate the holiday season at the Art Institute's annual "Wreathing of the Lions" event.

January 21: HSDC in the Collection
HSDC Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton comments on selected modern and contemporary works on view, followed by short performances.

February 20, 11:00 am: HS2 in Griffin Court
Guest choreographer Jonathan Fredrickson works with dancers in Griffin Court. This program is designed with audience of all ages in mind.

March 18: Conversation--HSDC in Dialogue
HSDC artistic staff and designers review the process of creating an entire visual environment for dance, based on HSDC's experiences on stage and in nontraditional spaces including galleries.

June 3: Dance and Conversation--HSDC in Dialogue
HSDC artistic staff and dancers preview two new works to be premiered later that evening. An art commentary on related works on view in the Modern Wing is also offered.

June 17: HSDC's Choreographic Workshop Performance "Inside/Out"
The full company of Hubbard Street dancers showcase their new works choreographed throughout the year in response to art on view in the Art Institute's Modern Wing.