Columbia College dance faculty member Martha Brim is one of twelve artists recently selected to participate in the Choreographers Lab at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts, August 19–27, 2008. Hundreds of artists from around the world audition for this prestigious program.  Jacob’s Pillow is the longest-running dance festival in the United States and is respected internationally as a venue, historic site and education center attracting top dancers and choreographers worldwide. Spanning nearly eight decades in American culture, Jacob's Pillow is also the first and only dance institution to be named a National Historic Landmark by the federal government as "an exceptional cultural venue that holds value for all Americans." Other arts institutions to receive this designation include Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For more information about Jacob’s Pillow visit www.jacobspillow.org.

Brim’s participation in the Choreographer’s Lab program will focus on artistic process and community interaction and is specifically designed to address and benefit the artist’s community.  Commenting on her selection, Brim remarked, “I believe that not only will I be bringing new and fresh ideas to the community through my creative work; I will also be representing my community.  As I see it, my selection and participation is not only an honor for me, personally and professionally, but for the community of which I am a product.  In various locations in South Carolina, I have been asked to create choreography involving the community.  Some examples include several site-specific works for the Columbia Museum of Art, a choreographic work for the opening of the Liberty Bridge in Greenville, a number of works for Sumter’s Accessibility Festival and USC’s Department of Asian Studies. Sessions with this group of artists who were selected from across the globe are sure to bring new life and vigor to my creative voice.” Brim continues, “I long to cultivate projects which will engage the community creatively. By attending this program I am taking steps to deepen my commitment to that goal.” 
In addition to being a professor of dance at Columbia College, Brim also is artistic director of The Power Company, a professional contemporary dance company.