Ruth Page (1899-1991) achieved worldwide recognition as a true innovator and dance pioneer in America. Throughout her career, she took on the roles of prima ballerina, choreographer, director, financial backer, and visionary. Unusual for the time, she created art at the forefront of social, political, and artistic issues. She regularly blended classical ballet with other forms of dance expression to create powerful social statements. Ahead of her time, her passion for diversifying the audience experience extended to her choice of dancers; when all-white casts were the norm, Ruth Page regularly cast dancers from multiple ethnic backgrounds. Her international travels allowed her to represent many diverse cultures in her continuously fresh and compelling choreography.
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Ruth Page was revered by prominent political and arts leaders worldwide and was regularly invited to perform for significant national and international events. As a dance visionary, she was the first American to commission George Balanchine to create a ballet, Polka Melancholique. She also gave Isamu Noguchi his first dance costume commission. Noguchi’s iconic, body-concealing sack dress that Ruth wore in Expanding Universe is still widely recognized today. As a businessperson, she provided artists with work and launched the careers of countless artists.

Having already established herself as an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and arts patron, Ruth Page created a performing arts center where artistic expression could thrive. The Ruth Page Center is widely recognized as an integral part of the global dance community, not only for our history through its founder but also for the essential programs important to Chicago's cultural landscape.

The Ruth Page School of Dance was founded in 1971 by Ruth Page and Larry Long. Mr. Long went on to become the school’s much-loved Director until his death in 2009. Along with his wife and Associate Director, Dolores Long, they set the standard of distinction in dance training at the school. Since 2013, dancer, choreographer, and visionary Victor Alexander has led the school alongside Mrs. Long.

The Ruth Page School of Dance embodies a vision of the versatile, well-trained, and unique dancer. The school's many components  include the Pre-Dance Program (ages 3-7), Young Dancer Training Program (ages 7-18), the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program (ages 17-25), Ruth Page Keystone Dance Academy (ages 10-14), and adult classes for personal and professional enrichment.