Forward Momentum Chicago

Forward Momentum Chicago is a nonprofit dance education organization empowering Chicagoland youth in schools and communities with limited arts access since its founding. The organization utilizes dance to build lifelong skills that foster pathways to success, offering a variety of dance experiences for all ages and ability levels.

The FMC Summer Dance Camp provides intensive dance training in a supportive environment. The program develops character, confidence, and leadership skills through professional dance instruction. Students learn multiple dance styles and techniques while working with experienced instructors who are passionate about youth development through the arts.

School programs bring dance education directly to CPS schools and other educational institutions, providing classroom residencies and in-school instruction. These programs integrate dance into the curriculum, giving students who might not otherwise have access to arts education the opportunity to explore movement and creativity.

Power UP Dance Classes offer ongoing studio training at the organization’s South Loop location (1530 S State St). These classes provide formal dance instruction in a traditional studio setting, allowing students to develop technical skills and artistic expression over time.

Forward Momentum Chicago has also partnered with After School Matters, Chicago’s premier provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. Through this partnership, FMC offers paid internship opportunities where teens learn dance, develop professional skills, and create performances.

The organization has received extensive recognition in the media and from community partners. Testimonials from students and parents highlight how Forward Momentum has built teamwork and leadership skills, improved work ethic, provided healthy environments for self-expression, and helped students make major life decisions. The organization’s commitment to excellence is evident in the quality of instruction and the transformational impact on students’ lives.

Forward Momentum Chicago operates on a mission to make dance education accessible to all, regardless of economic circumstances, providing scholarships and subsidized programming to ensure every child can participate.