The Isadora Duncan Dance Company & Foundation (IDDC/IDDF) was founded in 1979 by third-generation Duncan dancer and 2025 Dance Teacher Magazine Award recipient Lori Belilove to preserve and advance the legacy of Isadora Duncan, the pioneering American artist widely recognized as the "mother of modern dance." Having inherited Duncan's artistic lineage through direct mentorship, Belilove was committed to creating a dedicated organization to preserve, perform, teach, and share Duncan's choreography, philosophy, and vision of dance as a natural expression of the human spirit. 

From its inception, IDDF has addressed the need for greater access to high-quality arts education and meaningful movement experiences by combining professional performance, education, archival preservation, and community engagement. Rooted in Duncan's belief that movement belongs to everyone, IDDF has always sought to remove barriers to participation by welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities into its programs. 

Over the past four decades, IDDF has evolved from a preservation organization into a vibrant cultural institution that both safeguards Duncan's historic repertoire and inspires new artistic creation. Today, the Foundation's professional Company performs throughout New York City and internationally, while its educational programs, Teacher Training Certification Program, archives, and community partnerships engage artists, educators, students, and audiences around the world. By connecting Duncan's enduring philosophy with contemporary communities, IDDF continues to demonstrate how movement, creativity, and artistic expression contribute to lifelong learning, connection, and wellbeing. Launched in anticipation of the 150th anniversary of Isadora Duncan's birth in 2027, IDDF’s Isadora150 initiative celebrates the enduring legacy of one of America's most influential dance artists while demonstrating her continued relevance today.