jane sawyer
FOUNDER
Since 2018, as Director of the Cook County Arts Collective, Ms Sawyer has developed and facilitated arts curriculum for female detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections, in the facilities' internal drug recovery program. During the period of shutdown due to the COVID 19 epidemic, Ms Sawyer provided virtual and in person movement experiences for returning citizens and residents of the Grace House residential program.
Ms. Sawyer trained and performed with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater between 2011-2017, and has performed with a number of professional companies. She is a 2022 Changing Worlds small grants recipient for her work. She has presented on her work with justice-system involved women at conferences in Chicago (McCormick Theological Seminary, 2022), and Cincinnati, Ohio (Midwest Modern Language Association (MMLA), 2023).
janes@cookcountyartscollective.org
Anna sawyer
TEACHING ARTIST
Ms. Sawyer is a teaching and featured performing artist for the Cook County Arts Collective. A graduate of The Ailey School's Professional Division, she holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Education, and teaches on the faculty at the University of Chicago's Laboratory School. She has worked extensively with early learners in several roles at the Chicago Children’s Museum and as a faculty member at the Hyde Park School of Dance. She is a certified Pilates instructor, and teaches Pilates for adults through the Hyde Park School of Dance and for private clients as well. annas@cookcountyartscollective.org
aLLYSON RATLIFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Allyson Ratliff is Director of Community Engagement at the Hyde Park School of Dance, where she also serves as a senior ballet instructor. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cook County Arts Collective since its founding in 2018.
Ms. Ratliff has a Master of Arts Management degree with a focus on performing arts. She has studied dance at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the Washington Ballet in Washington DC. Ms. Ratliff has taught at the School of Ballet Chicago, where she instructed classes in ballet and creative movement and served as an integral part of Ballet Chicago's inner city outreach program. She has also served as Ballet Mistress for Expressions Dance Theatre and Rhythm Street in Washington DC.