BC YOUTH DANCE PROJECTS

Home Lands in Our Bodies , from a dance-based artist exchange between multidisciplinary artists Fior Saoirse & Brenda Kent Colina, Ts’msyen La̱xyuup homelands, Prince Rupert.

OVERVIEW

The BC Youth Dance Research Project is made up of three components: Research, Production and Documentation, and began from a few ideas: 

  • how to connect under-represented youth - from BIPOC/IBPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and/or disabled communities beyond the Lower Mainland - with dance and the performing arts, 

  • how to support BIPOC/IBPOC and/or LGBTQ2S+ dance artists as well as BC communities to support youth and artists with creative, group projects 

  • how to offer some support for creative projects - as we emerged from the depths of Covid-19 and its impacts

From these ideas, we were fortunate to receive funding from CCA Strategic Innovation funding for research and documentation, and a BC Arts Council Arts Impact for project production and documentation. 

PRODUCTION and DOCUMENTATION

From the strength of one-year of research (see below), Dance West Network was then able to produce and document four community-engaged workshop and artist exchange projects, Summer 2023 & Fall 2024

  • CHANGE MAKERS’ EDUCATION SOCIETY

    Ts’msyen La̱xyuup homelands (Prince Rupert) 

    Aug 1-6, 2023 

    Brenda Kent Colina aka Bee Llegada, Partida (Arrival, Departure)

    Fior Saoirse Land Alchemy: Movement Meditations

    Film showing: March 1 2024

    plus film by Brenda Kent Colina (click below for more info)

    More Information

  • LENA RESIDENCY & THE YELLOWHOUSE ARTS CENTRE

    Tsawwassen First Nation, on the lands of the Penelakut, Hwlitsum, Lelum Sar Augh Ta Naogh, and other Coast Salish peoples (Galiano Island)

    June 13-15, 2024

    Shion Skye Carter: Movement and Calligraphy Workshop

    Collaborator: calligraphy artist Kisyuu.

    plus essay by Finn Bryant (click below for more info)

    More Information

  • THE STUDIO: Dance & Wellness

    on the lands of the Sinixt, Secwepemc (Secwepemcul’ewc), Syilx, and the Ktunaxa (Revelstoke) 

    Sept 20-23, 2024

    Simran Sanchar, Sophia Sosa: The Lunacy Phase

    Collaborators: Sophie Sosa, Sevrin Emancen-Boyd

    plus essay by Megan Gillis (click below for more info)

    More information

  • ANTLER RIDGE DANCE STUDIO

    Te’mexw Treaty Association, WSÁNEĆ, Hul’qumi’num TreatyGroup,Tsawwassen Territory/Salt Spring Island BC.

    Dec 7, 2024

    Shion Skye Carter: Movement and Calligraphy Workshop

    plus essay by Adele Cecotti (click below for more info)

    More information

These productions were supported by BC Arts Council Arts Impact. 

RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION 

This gathering led to the production of the ENCOMPASS booklet with essays from the artists involved in the BC Youth Dance Research project highlighting this community-driven work Click HERE.

Encompass documents the projects from the 2022 BC Youth Dance and Research Project, including image descriptions and graphic recordings.  This booklet is part of the research supported by CCA Sector Innovation.

This multidisciplinary booklet features essays by emerging artist Alex Masse & booklet editor Sarah Wong, photos by Jordan Shum, illustrations by Juolin Lee, and graphic design by Emma Reid. 

It highlights the amazing community-driven work happening across the Lower Mainland from BC Youth Project artists Alyssa Amarshi, AJ Kule Kambere, Bee Kent Colina, Fior Saoirse, Rosario Ancer, Shion Skye Carter, Simran Sachar, and Tanis Baer & Kenley Knock.  

The essay is also in French, translated by Carroll Guerin LaFleche with support from Audrey Gaussiran. 

The booklet is now available online for FREE in two formats: as a PDF and we also have the booklet available as a Word Document (designed to increase accessibility for blind/low-vision communities using screen readers and magnification). If you would like access to a word document, please reach out to admin@dancewest.net. The file is too large to make easily available on this website platform.  

We are also excited to be offering made-to-order booklets in print form so Encompass can find a spot in your bookshelf.

PDF (Free) - click here

Booklet ($12) - click here

Research

on the intersections of creative projects and communities located beyond the Lower Mainland, BC

In Spring 2022, artists responded to a call for ideas to develop projects that centre IBPOC and LGBTQ2S+ youth and community members. The artists embarked on a year of research and development with project colleagues and consultants.

Project Colleagues: Alyssa Amarshi, Joanne Cuffe, Tsatassaya White. Consultants: Olivia C. Davies, Lindy Sisson

On October 29, 2022 Dance West Network hosted a live and online Public Gathering in collaboration with Simon Fraser University Woodwards Cultural Programs to share this research in a youth-led dialogue with the artists about their projects. 

Go HERE for more information on this early phase of the project and info on the artists involved.

Below is a listing of artist profiles with the artists’ research, creative processes, and development of projects to engage with communities in collaboration with local organizations.

This research was supported by CCA Sector Innovation funding. 

Selected Artists & Projects