Chicago’s dance community is reeling from the news that Links Hall, a legendary incubator for experimental performance, will soon close its doors due to financial struggles. For decades, Links Hall has been a sanctuary for boundary-pushing artists—those who thrive outside the mainstream, turning movement into radical expression. Its loss isn’t just a blow to Chicago; it’s a warning sign for the entire independent arts ecosystem.
### **Why This Hurts More Than Just Chicago**
Links Hall wasn’t just a venue—it was a lifeline. Emerging choreographers, avant-garde collectives, and dancers exploring uncharted territory found a home there. Unlike commercial theaters or big-budget productions, Links prioritized raw creativity over ticket sales. Its intimate space fostered risk-taking, where failure was just as valuable as success.
Now, with its closure, where do these artists go? Theaters with affordable rentals are vanishing, swallowed by rising costs and shifting funding priorities. The pandemic already pushed many indie venues to the brink, and now, even a stalwart like Links couldn’t survive.
### **The Bigger Problem: Who Supports the Arts?**
This isn’t just about one venue. It’s about a system that undervalues experimental art until it’s gone. Grants shrink, donors favor "safe" programming, and audiences (when they exist) often gravitate toward familiar names. Meanwhile, the artists who redefine dance—who make it vital—are left scrambling.
If cities want vibrant arts scenes, they can’t rely on goodwill and passion alone. Real investment is needed—not just in buildings, but in the artists who fill them.
### **What Can We Do?**
1. **Demand Better Funding** – Local governments and arts councils must prioritize grassroots spaces.
2. **Support Indie Artists Directly** – Buy tickets, donate, share their work. Small actions add up.
3. **Preserve Alternative Spaces** – Before another Links Hall disappears, we need to fight for them.
Links Hall’s legacy won’t fade overnight, but its absence leaves a gaping hole. Let’s make sure it’s the last of its kind to fall.
**#SaveTheArts #ExperimentalDance #SupportLocalArtists**
