CHICAGO — After ten years at the helm of one of Chicago’s most celebrated dance companies, Jason D. Palmquist will retire as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) executive director at the end of the company’s 39th season. Palmquist will continue his service to the arts community as an associate consultant for Management Consultants for the Arts, a 34-year-old firm with national scope specializing in executive search, planning and organizational development.
“As Hubbard Street heads into its 40th Anniversary Season, this is a wonderful time take a step back and reflect on the incredible achievements and strides we have made over the last ten years,” said Palmquist. “It is with great pride and accomplishment that I depart from one of the most artistically brilliant, forward thinking, community driven companies I have ever worked with, and know that they will continue to build upon the strong legacy that sets them apart as a world-class dance organization.”
After joining the company in 2007, Palmquist has contributed a decade of knowledge and passion for the arts to ensure HSDC’s success as a premiere international dance company. In his ten years leading HSDC, the company has seen incredible growth both artistically as well as programmatically.
Over the past five years alone, Palmquist oversaw the addition of 49 new works to the company’s repertoire including seven world premieres. The company also underwent an immense expansion of its training programs providing dance education to over 25,000 students.
Artistically, Hubbard Street went from performing one annual Chicago engagement to four, allowing Chicago residents more opportunities to see the first-rate company as they continued to tour to some of the most prestigious venues around the world. In 2015, Hubbard Street was one of only 18 dance companies in the country to receive significant multi-year funding through the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Leadership Grants Program for Dance.
In addition to the internal growth of the company, Palmquist helped to forge new partnerships with some of Chicago’s most notable institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition, a collaboration with The Second City resulted in the company’s most successful engagement to date, drawing more than 15,000 patrons over its two Chicago runs. The show also went on to garner success at The Music Center in Los Angeles, CA.
“Jason’s leadership and guidance over the past ten years has propelled Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to the forefront of the arts community on a local, national and international level,” said HSDC Board Chair Sara Albrecht. “His passion for the arts mixed with his constant drive and forward thinking allowed the company to bring in new artists, innovative programming, collaborative partnerships throughout the city and beyond and so much more.”
While serving as executive director at Hubbard Street, Palmquist’s dedication to the arts went further participating on the boards of Arts Alliance of Illinois (Vice Chair), the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and the West Loop Community Organization.
“I have valued and I am forever grateful for all that Jason has achieved at Hubbard Street,” said HSDC Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton. “His support and ability to fuse his keen business sense with his artistic appreciation allowed the company to expand in areas we may not have thought possible. Jason has been an esteemed colleague and friend, and I look forward to following all that he will accomplish for the arts in his future endeavors.”
As Palmquist steps down, the Board of Directors will be identifying a new leader as the company moves into its 40th Anniversary Season. After a successful strategic planning process, with the full participation of the Board of Directors, the company will continue to build on their reputation and solidify themselves as a premiere dance company. The Board is focused on the company’s core purpose of bringing audiences and artists together to enrich, educate and change lives through the experience of dance.
About Hubbard Street
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s core purpose is to bring artists, art and audiences together to enrich, engage, educate, transform and change lives through the experience of dance. Celebrating Season 39 in 2016–17, under the artistic leadership of Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street continues to innovate, supporting ascendant creative talent while presenting repertory by internationally recognized living artists. Hubbard Street has grown through the establishment of multiple platforms alongside the Lou Conte Dance Studio — now in its fifth decade of providing a wide range of public classes and pre-professional training — while extensive Youth, Education, Community, Adaptive Dance and Family Programs keep the organization deeply connected to its hometown. Visit hubbardstreetdance.com for artist profiles, touring schedules, and much more.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
1147 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60607 • 312-850-9744 • hubbardstreetdance.com
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