Artist Contract - 25th Anniversary Season
This agreement is made between Aerial Dance Chicago (ADC) and ARTIST for a contract period of August 19, 2024 through April 5, 2025.
Rehearsals
Studio rehearsals will occur within these windows:
Tuesdays 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursdays 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Fridays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
ARTIST must maintain availability for the above hours throughout the contract period. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be announced on a weekly basis. Long and short breaks throughout the contract period will be announced. Bookmark Schedule and Casting.
Open Company Classes
Tuesdays 9:45-10:45 AM Professional Fabric with Artistic Director Chloe Jensen (requires prerequisite skills)
Thursdays 9:45-10:45 AM Adv/Pro Contemporary Ballet with Ballet Master Tuli Bera
Attendance to company classes are optional. Dancers must register online.
Classes are unpaid, but tuition-free. (Value $168-$256 per term.)
Dancers NOT attending company class should do a thorough self-warm up in the side studio area and be ready to dance full out for 11:00am rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Performance Schedule
Confirmed events are in bold. Tentative events are in italics. Casting for each event will be announced. Certain contracted performances may engage only some dancers. Additional performances may be added throughout the season.
September 20-22, 2024 Chicago Live! at Navy Pier
September 27-28, 2024 HCCDF at Ruth Page Theatre
November 8-9, 2024 Studio Production at Aerial Dance Chicago
March 30-April 5, 2025 25th Anniversary Concert at Ruth Page Center for the Arts
More performances TBA
Artist Pay
$15.80 per hour for studio rehearsals, tech/dress rehearsals and photo shoots for all dancers
$120 flat rate per performance for Company Apprentices
$140 flat rate per performance for Company Dancers
$160 flat rate per performance for Company Dancers 5+ years in ADC
Mission and Programmatic Focus
Aerial Dance Chicago is focused on the creative development of the art of contemporary dance. The company does not create or perform circus art, aerial stunt work or burlesque. ARTIST agrees to align with the vision and mission of the company.
Safety
Aerial Dance Chicago regards safety as the number one priority. ARTIST agrees to read, learn and work according to the ADC Safety Policy.
Hair & Jewelry
For safety, during all training, classes, rehearsals and performances, ARTIST agrees to have no loose hair or dangling ponytails during rehearsals, training or performances and ARTIST agrees to remove jewelry from all areas of the body prior to participation.
Employment Status
ARTIST is an official employee of Aerial Dance Chicago (not independent contractor) and receives a monthly paycheck. ADC withholds federal and state taxes, withholds and matches Social Security and Medicare and provides a W-2 form at the end of the tax year (not a 1099). To receive pay on time, ARTIST must complete a work report online after each activity, with a completed work report due before 9:00 AM on the last day of each month.
Free Class Benefit
ARTIST receives tuition-free access to ADC classes and is encouraged to take class regularly to build strength, skill and experience. To join classes, ARTIST agrees to register online, have excellent attendance and follow all school policies.
Attendance
ARTIST agrees to have excellent attendance. ARTIST agrees to disclose conflicts in advance of signing this agreement. ARTIST agrees to inform Artistic Director via text if ill and unable to attend rehearsal. Unexcused absences and lateness will not be tolerated.
Communication
Communication is critical to the functioning of our programs. ARTIST agrees to check ADC company email and text messages daily and respond to all communication in a timely manner.
Aerial Work Outside of ADC
ARTIST agrees not to participate in any paid or unpaid aerial work or activities outside of ADC for the duration of this commitment and while attending free classes at Aerial Dance Chicago. This includes but is not limited to: attending auditions by organizations or artists who include aerial elements in their work, rehearsals/performances/teaching/choreography with organizations or artists who include aerial elements in their work, training exchanges and sharing sessions involving aerial elements, formation of an aerial dance company, etc.
ARTIST may attend aerial classes outside of ADC as a student, however must avoid all conflicts of interest with regards to joining such an activity. ARTIST must also prioritize work at ADC and avoid overwork or injury from attendance to classes.
ARTIST may participate in other ground based dance work as long as these activities in no way conflict with commitments made at Aerial Dance Chicago.
Conflict of Interest
ARTIST agrees not to engage in activities that are a conflict of interest. Employment with ADC will be terminated if conflict of interest is present. ARTIST agrees not use ADC choreography or any other copyrighted material for classes, performances or events for other organizations, individual endeavors or any purpose outside of Aerial Dance Chicago during this commitment and forever. ARTIST agrees not to discuss, distribute materials or recruit ADC students or artists for other organizations, events or individual endeavors. If ARTIST is unclear if conflict of interest is present, ARTIST agrees to discuss with Director prior to engagement.
Creative Copyright and Media Policy
ARTIST agrees to read, sign, follow and refer back to as needed ADC’s Creative Copyright and Media Policy.
Copyright
All creative material generated during ADC activities, including but not limited to movement, choreography, training, curriculum, costumes, lighting, rig design, apparatus design, photos/videos (including media taken with ARTIST device), etcetera, are copyrighted property of Aerial Dance Chicago and may not be used for any purpose outside of ADC. ARTIST agrees never to use ADC creative ideas or copyrighted material for any purpose outside of Aerial Dance Chicago, both when contracted by the company and when ARTIST is no longer employed by ADC.
Sharing on Social Media
ARTIST agrees to tag @aerialdancechicago prominently in the text and on the photo/video for all posts related to ADC activities. ARTIST agrees to tag the choreographer and photographer for all images and videos. Where tag is not possible, ARTIST agrees to credit full name of the company, choreographer and photographer prominently in the text. ARTIST agrees never to share media out of context.
Protecting Trade Secrets
ARTIST agrees not to share trade secrets, creative ideas and copyrighted property of Aerial Dance Chicago during this contract and forever.
Use of ADC Space
The Aerial Dance Chicago studio at 4028 W. Irving Park Rd may only be used for Aerial Dance Chicago activities and purposes.
Key Policy
Having a set of keys does not provide automatic permission to enter the space. ARTIST must gain permission in advance from the director prior to entry into the studio.
Confidentiality
ARTIST has read and agrees to abide by the rules set forth in the ADC Confidentiality Agreement.
Mobile Phones
ARTIST agrees to keep mobile phone tucked away for the duration of rehearsals. ARTIST agrees not to photograph or video any part of rehearsal or performance.