Columbia Faculty, Alums Chosen for Walder Foundation's 2024 Platform Awards

PhotoWalder Foundation's 2024 Platform Award recipients Darrell Jones (left,) Vershawn Sanders-Ward (top right,) and Sam Thousand (bottom right.)
The Walder Foundation has named three Chicago-based performing artists, including two Columbia College Chicago alumni and one faculty member, as recipients of its prestigious 2024 Platform Awards.

The Walder Foundation has named three Chicago-based performing artists, including two Columbia College Chicago alumni and one faculty member, as recipients of its prestigious 2024 Platform Awards. These awards provide each recipient with a three-year, unrestricted grant of $200,000 alongside professional development opportunities to fuel their artistic growth and careers. 

Dance luminary Darrell Jones, a tenured faculty member at Columbia College Chicago's Dance Center, is recognized for his accomplished career as a performer, educator, researcher, and choreographer. Jones has graced international stages and collaborated with renowned artists like Bebe Miller Company and Ralph Lemon. He is a two-time Bessie Award winner and holds an MFA in Dance from Florida State University. 

Visionary dance artist and educator Vershawn Sanders-Ward, a proud alumna of Columbia College Chicago's Dance program, is celebrated as an "artivist" who uses her artistry to drive social change. Sanders-Ward founded the Red Clay Dance Company, a platform for diverse artists tackling issues of identity and social justice. She holds an MFA from New York University and numerous accolades, including the Dance/USA Artist Fellowship and the prestigious 3Arts Award. 

Multi-faceted musician, curator, and social entrepreneur Sam Thousand ‘13, a Columbia College Chicago BFA graduate in Jazz Studies, rounds out the awardees. Thousand boasts over 15 years of experience as a performer, composer, and entrepreneur. He co-founded ChiBrations, a Chicago arts organization with a recently launched app empowering the performing arts community. 

The Walder Foundation's Platform Awards acknowledge accomplished mid-career artists in Chicago's vibrant dance, music, and theater scenes. These awards offer financial security and professional development resources designed to propel their artistic journeys. They also foster cross-disciplinary connections, fostering a robust and collaborative arts community within the city. 

“This recognition reflects the exceptional talent nurtured within Columbia College Chicago's esteemed arts programs, and we congratulate all awardees on this well-deserved honor," says School of Fine and Performing Arts Dean Dr. Rosita Sands. 

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