A Career that Transcended Dance and Convention

A performance of Ocean at the Rainbow Quarry in Minnesota. Photo by Cameron Wittig courtesy of Walker Art Center 2008

Merce Cunningham's Work

Cunningham created 180 dances, prolific drawings, and trenchant writings


 

Hallmarks of his Work

 

Choreography

Cunningham forever changed the landscape of dance, music and contemporary art.
See Choreography
Cunningham Technique Class. Photo by Janelle Jones 2016

The Cunningham Technique®

Cunningham created a training process to develop strength and flexibility in both the body and the mind.
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Cunningham used media in many forms creatively and to capture his work throughout his career.

Explore Media
A sample of Merce Cunningham's drawings.

Drawings

Cunningham drew constantly, nature being his primary source of inspiration.

Technique is the disciplining of one's energies through physical action in order to free that energy at any desired instant in its highest possible physical and spiritual form.

Merce Cunningham,
The Function of Technique for Dance

A Prolific Writer

Cunningham wrote numerous pieces about dance, technique and his own choreographic process.
Explore Writings

Cunningham's Legacy

His work continues to influence new generations
of dancers and audience.


Preserving Cunningham's Vision For The Future

Cedric Andrieux and Lisa Boudreau in Interscape. Photo by Tony Dougherty 2005.

Archival Records

We work closely with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Walker Art Center to archive a vast collection of materials from Cunningham's seven decade career.
Learn about the Archives
Vanessa Knouse and Benny Olk in Suite for Two. Photo by Yi-Chun Wu 2015

Continuing the Legacy

We work to continue the legacy by offering classes to the public, conducting repertory workshops, and actively licensing his choreographic works.
Learn More about our Activities