Vancouver's New Works and The Dance Centre take part in nation-wide residency exchange in integrated dance and disability arts
National Arts Centre is the third collaborator in an inclusive creative swap
All Bodies Dance Project. Photo by Chris Randle
VANCOUVER’S NEW WORKS and The Dance Centre are joining forces with the National Arts Centre in Ottawa for a three-month cross-Canada exchange called Cross-Pollination: Sharing Practice in Integrated Dance and Disability Arts.
The project will see Vancouver’s All Bodies Dance Project, Dance Centre artist-in-residence Adam Grant Warren, and Ottawa’s Propeller Dance embark on a creative exchange to share knowledge in integrated dance and disability arts.
All Bodies Dance Project is an inclusive local dance company that brings together artists with and without disabilities. Warren is a movement artist, wheelchair-user, and Jessie Award-winning actor who is also an associate artist with All Bodies Dance Project and co–artistic director of Realwheels. Ottawa’s Propeller Dance has been working in the field of contemporary integrated dance and disability arts since 2007. The organizations and their collaborating artists were selected to receive support as recipients of CanDance Networks' annual Creative Exchange Project.
Cross-Pollination marks the first time the three artists and arts companies have engaged in a national residency exchange. The artists will gather in a studio in Vancouver for one week and then will have another week of collaboration in a studio in Ottawa in July.
On May 16 from 12 pm to 1:30 pm, the collaborators will offer a free public lecture-demonstration in the studio at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, where they’ll share residency learnings. (RSVP is required as capacity is limited. See www.newworks.ca/creative-exchange-2024 to register.)
Adam Grant Warren. Photo by K Ho
“We look forward to this rich opportunity to engage in genuine exchange, collaboration, and shared learning with peers across Canada working and creating integrated dance” Naomi Brand, cofounder and artistic director of the All Bodies Dance Project, said in a release.
The Dance Centre supports the development of artists of diverse practices and abilities, executive director Mirna Zagar said in the announcement. “We are thrilled to partner in this project that unites similar engagement across Canada in an effort to elevate the capacity of artists working in this unique field to achieve their visions and to raise awareness among the Canadian public for the evolving dance practice,” Zagar said.
New Works’ executive director Jason Dubois said, “We are excited to partner with colleagues across Canada to support meaningful creative exchange with support from the CanDance Network. Emphasis is so often placed on product and performance, this feels like a truly exceptional opportunity to be part of a project that centres on learning and sharing practice between organizations, artists, and audiences.” 
Related Articles
