In 1990, efforts began to create a downtown mid-size theater for nonprofit performing arts organizations. This initiative was spurred by a report on the arts in Chicago issued by the MacArthur Foundation that highlighted the need for such a venue. The Polk Bros. Foundation committed $2.5 million and joined with eight other foundations to pursue the theater’s creation. An executive director was hired in 1995 and Polk Bros. Foundation President and CEO Sandra Guthman chaired the board from 1993-2004.
Thirteen years of work came to fruition in 2003 when the 1,525 seat Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance opened in Millenium Park for its first season. This state-of-the-art venue provides a downtown home for 12 diverse performing arts companies that joined the Music and Dance effort in 1995 and helped with its planning. In its inaugural 2003-04 season, the Harris Theater hosted 17 music and dance companies and 67,000 audience members. During the 2004-05 season, 36 performing arts companies presented 103 performances, garnering an audience of over 97,000 individuals. Currently in its 2005-06 season, the Harris Theater anticipates that 32 diverse companies will present at least 89 performances for more than 75,000 audience members.
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Music and Dance Theater Chicago