Margaret Jenkins Dance Studio

The Margaret Jenkins Dance Company (MJDC) is a renowned collaborative body of dancers, composers, and visual artists dedicated to the creation of contemporary dance works. Founded in 1973 by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Margaret Jenkins, MJDC has been at the forefront of the dance community in San Francisco and beyond, celebrating 50 years of bringing dance to the world.

Our Mission

MJDC is committed to creating a diverse range of dance works that push the boundaries of the art form and engage audiences on a deep and personal level. We believe in the power of dance to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, and we strive to create a space where dancers, composers, and visual artists can come together to share their unique perspectives and talents.

Our Collaborations

Over the years, MJDC has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including composers, visual artists, and other dancers. These collaborations have resulted in the creation of numerous groundbreaking dance works that showcase the innovative spirit and creative vision of the company. We believe that collaboration is key to creating truly memorable and impactful dance performances, and we continue to seek out new and exciting partnerships to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of dance.

Our Legacy in Motion Project

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, MJDC has launched the Legacy in Motion project, a comprehensive exploration and orchestration of our history and the impact Jenkins and the company have had on the arts in the San Francisco Bay Area, the country, and abroad. This project includes three interwoven components: Documenting Process, Sharing Perspectives, and Preserving the Past. Through these initiatives, we aim to provide current and future artists with a range of materials that highlight the experiences and insights of Jenkins and the many artists who have intersected with MJDC.

Documenting Process

Documenting Process involves capturing the vibrant and deeply collaborative process that Jenkins has honed in the studio over the years. A documentary film crew will follow the team as they develop a new performance work, Wheel, offering a window into this vital period and deepening insights into the nature of Jenkins' style of collaboration. This feature film will provide students, dance aficionados, and MJDC fans with a richer portrait of the artist and draw connections to past projects and Jenkins' history as an artist.

Sharing Perspectives

Sharing Perspectives aims to preserve additional perspectives and stories by filming and transcribing conversations with over 30 key collaborators, company members, mentees, and peers from the past 50 years. These conversations will capture their perspectives on MJDC's history and its impact on the larger San Francisco dance scene. In addition to making the transcribed conversations publicly available, MJDC will commission a series of essays to synthesize and bring forward key themes from these oral histories.

Preserving the Past

Preserving the Past involves making MJDC's collection of notebooks, photographs, videos, programs, and other archival documentation available to the public at the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library's Western Americana Collection. This collection will join archival materials related to artists such as Mark Twain, Joan Didion, Ina Coolbrith, and Jack London, ensuring that these materials will be well cared for and fully accessible for generations to come.

Supporting Our Legacy

We believe that the Legacy in Motion project will build a lasting legacy for the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, and we need your help to raise $2.1 million to make this project a success. Because most of the Legacy in Motion project will be available for free or low-cost to our community, we must rely on the generosity and incredible support from our individual donors. Through the incredible generosity of our major donors, we are already making tremendous headway. Your support can help us reach our goal!

Join Our Mailing List and Make a Donation

If you would like to stay updated on the latest news and developments from MJDC, please subscribe to our mailing list. Additionally, we encourage you to make a donation to support the Legacy in Motion project and help us continue to bring dance to San Francisco and the world.