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.

DES ARTS DEHORS/ARTS OUTSIDE, supports French and English-speaking artists who create work for the outdoors/alternative sites beyond the theatre.

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.

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.