When a legendary space like Links Hall shuts its doors, it’s not just a loss for Chicago—it’s a blow to the entire dance community. For decades, Links Hall has been a haven for experimental movement, a launchpad for boundary-pushing artists, and a rare place where raw creativity mattered more than commercial appeal. Its closure isn’t just about finances; it’s about what happens when we undervalue the spaces that nurture art in its purest form.
### **Why Links Hall Mattered**
Unlike big-budget theaters or flashy performance venues, Links Hall thrived on intimacy and risk. It was where choreographers could test half-formed ideas, where emerging dancers found their voices, and where audiences experienced work that wasn’t polished for mass consumption. In a world obsessed with virality and algorithms, spaces like this are oxygen for artists.
### **The Bigger Problem**
The shutdown isn’t just a Chicago issue—it’s a symptom of a wider crisis. Independent arts venues everywhere are drowning under rising rents, shrinking grants, and post-pandemic audience shifts. When a pillar like Links Hall collapses, it sends a chilling message: *If they can’t survive, who can?*
### **What’s Next?**
Losing Links Hall should be a wake-up call. Supporting the arts can’t just be lip service or occasional donations. It means fighting for policy changes, demanding better funding, and—yes—showing up. Buy tickets, share the work, and remember: culture isn’t a luxury. It’s the heartbeat of a city.
Chicago’s dance scene will keep moving, but it’ll do so with a little less magic. Here’s hoping the next Links Hall is already out there, waiting for its chance to rise.
**— DanceWAMI Team**
