Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago

The goals have been the same since the company was formed in 1982.
1. To continually recruit new dancers.
2. To increase the number of performances so as to increase income.
3. To add new dance suites every few years. This requires money that may cost from $2,000 to $4,000 for costumes.

A new goal, caused by the pandemic, has been added.
4. To increase grant applications to recover lost revenue caused by the pandemic.

1. Recruiting new dancers has been more difficult because of the new groups that have been formed which
reduces the recruiting areas. To entice new dancers MFDC advertises its professionalism and larger repertoire
with live music to dance to.
Social media exposure has been the main recruiting method. In this regard MFDC promotes its performances
with mega stars such as with the late Juan Gabriel, with Pepe Aguilar, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi
Cobre and Mariachi Los Camperos. Also, that the company has toured Mexico and Ireland. And the fact that
MFDC is the only Mexican dance company in the Illinois Arts Council
Agency's Artist Roster catalog.

2. The main strategy is to promote the company's professionalism by informing prospective presenters of the
high quality shows that MFDC presents. Similar to item 1 above. And by informing them of the Illinois Arts
Council Agency's Arts Tour grant.

3. Adding new repertoire has slowed a bit but still has been done every two or three years. Money will be set aside
to continue to accomplish this. This has now been accomplished with an Illinois Humanities grant of $5,000 and a Chicago's Cultural Treasures grant of $140,000; both in 2021.

4. Create a committee to draft grant applications because it is more than just a one-person job. This is being approached by the expansion of the board.

MFDC's capabilities have been positive since it was formed. It has become more difficult but still can be done. Planning and saving for an audit have become a priority so that applications to granters, that require an audit, can be approached. The expansion of the board will make this easier to accomplish as with the $152,000 in grants that were awarded in 2020 and 2021.

So far MFDC has accomplished the addition of new repertoire when it added a new suite, with new costumes, for its 36th anniversary show at the Studebaker Theater.

MFDC has recruited 10 new dancers.

There was a slight increase in the grants from Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Also, four other grants totaling $152,000 have assured the company's future for the next three to four years.

An expanded board has been created to share the work. and goals.