SAIC Alum Julia Rhoads wins prestigious MacArthur Award
SAIC Alum Julia Rhoads won the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. This prestigious award is given to organizations that demonstrate creativity and impact. Founder and creative director of the Lucky Plush dance company, Rhoads was granted $200,000 by the MacArthur Foundation to be used towards continuing her nonprofit organization.
Focusing on the idea of presence and live intimacy, Lucky Plush combines artistic dance choreography with theater, humor, and social commentary in order to tackle contemporary problems in its shows. The company is celebrating its 15th anniversary as the first Chicago-based dance company commissioned by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. "Receiving the MacArthur Award is both an honor and financial grace for Lucky Plush Productions," Rhoads said.
Lucky Plush Productions most recently performed Trip the Light Fantastic: The Making of SuperStrip at the Harris Theatre in Chicago. Visit the Lucky Plush website for more information.
Image courtesy of herbalpertawards.org
In celebration of alum Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks opening current SAIC students were invited to submit artworks inspired by O’keeffe and the city of Chicago.
An image from the exhibition opening of “My Chicagos: SAIC Students Honor Georgia O’Keeffe.”