Welcome to

DANCE WEST NETWORK:

Connecting Artists and Communities in Motion

Please scroll below to see the many opportunities we currently offer for you to connect with dance in BC and beyond, including artist calls and free events.

Dance West Network: connecting artists and communities in motion is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting communities across British Columbia and beyond through dance. We support dance artists by nurturing their creative projects with professional development opportunities, networking sessions, tour and residency connections, workshops, online showcases, and resource materials. Our work focuses on increasing awareness and appreciation of contemporary dance, fostering opportunities for equity-seeking artists and audiences, and building connections among artists, presenters, and collaborators throughout BC.

Originally founded in 2006, Dance West Network is dedicated to creating pathways that support access to dance. We accomplish this through three main programs:

MAINSTAGE

Creates connections between established and up-and-coming artists with a network of theatre presenters in the province.

Photo: Darryl Ahye

DES ARTS DEHORS/ARTS OUTSIDE

Supports French and English-speaking artists who create work for the outdoors/alternative sites beyond the theatre.

Photo: FUZD Media

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Events focused on dance which are offered in multiple BC communities through the work of dynamic Community Dance Connectors (local “dance champions”) located throughout the province.

Photo: Courtesy of Robbyn Scott

PLUS:

RE-CENTERING/MARGINS RESIDENCY, an annual creative residency project began in 2019 to support emerging IBPOC dance artists and also writers.

ALUMNI RE-CENTERING/MARGINS RESIDENCY, featuring an online artist showcase, alumni residencies in BC, an artist exchange with emerging dance artists in The Bronx, NY, digital project of artists conversations, among other projects.

In addition, we also collaborate with artists, presenters, and CDCs on various special projects, which often centre IBPOC dance artists and equity-seeking communities, as funding permits.

CURRENT EVENTS & CALLS

AB/BC Showcase, 2nd annual industry showcase

off-FTA Programming, during Festival TransAmériques

Dance West Network is proud to host a showcase featuring the work of five dance and physical performance artists from Western Canada - Alberta and British Columbia - at off-FTA Programming, during Festival TransAmerique, Montréal.

Friday May 30 12 noon - 1:30 pm

ÉDIFICE WILDER, Studio Espace Blanc - 1435, rue De Bleury, 4 flr 

Friday, June 6th, 7:30-9:00pm

Location: Surrey Arts Centre - 13750 - 88 Ave

Price: Free

Artists: B's Dancing Roses, Linden Tsz Yin Choi, Ria Goel, Vidya Kotamraju, The Paul Tavai-Latta Polynesian Dancers & Co, Mia Pelayo (video), and Puneet Singh, plus a performance by Punit Singh who will facilitate a public talkback.

Featuring: A collection of performances from dance artists based in and/or having strong connections to Surrey. 

Saturday, June 7th, 11:00am-12:30pm

Location: Alliance Francaise Vancouver - 6161 Cambie St.

Price: Free | Gratuit

Artists: Aurore Liang (QC), Sarah Kennedy, Judith Colibrí , Jhoely Triana, Isaac Gasangwa/ Elite Squad

Featuring: Roving performances throughout the new building

Calls for Artists

DADAO - Call for Artists/Appel de Projet, 2025-26

11th annual DADAO Des Arts Dehors/Arts Outside

Professional Development - supporting dance artists creating work for outdoors/alternative settings. 

To apply, click HERE 

Due: Tuesday July 15th, 2025 before 11:59pm

Artists announced: mid-August

QUOTES FROM PREVIOUS DADAO ARTISTS

"Le programme DADAO a offert un soutien et des conseils incroyables pour augmenter le potentiel de tournée de notre travail in situ, “Prima Materia”. - LA TRESSE, artiste DADAO, 2022-23

"Participating in the DADAO professional development series hosted by Dance West Network has been such a wonderful experience for me, especially as a new artist in Vancouver.” - Palak Dhiman, DADAO 2024-25 Artist

“Dance West Network's DADAO program provided a generous container for both myself and my collaborator, Ileanna to continue dreaming new possibilities for where and how our interactive installation "Rock Garden" could continue to grow and exist.” - Sarah Wong, 2022-23 DADAO artist

MAINSTAGE - Call for Artists, 2025-26

MAINSTAGE ONLINE SHOWCASE

Dance West Network invites all BC dance artists with tour-ready work to apply.

Dance West Network connects BC-based dance artists with presenters in the province, nationally and beyond.  The Mainstage touring program is inclusive of dance from all traditions that speak to the present time (i.e. contemporary dance). Practitioners - artists, collectives, companies - are encouraged to apply. NO FEE required to apply.

To apply, click HERE

Due: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 before 11:59pm

Artists announced: mid-October