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Landmark $6 Million Purchase Safeguards Flagship Dance Facility for Generations
Vancouver, BC – April 7, 2026: We are thrilled to announce that we have secured our home for dance in downtown Vancouver, with the successful $6 million purchase of the land beneath our beautiful facility at 677 Davie Street, acquired from leaseholder Scotiabank.
This transformational milestone ensures that one of Canada’s flagship dance facilities will remain a vibrant creative hub into the future – a place where artists create, train, perform, and innovate, and where communities gather to experience the power of dance.
At a time when cultural spaces across the country are under increasing pressure, this achievement protects a cornerstone of British Columbia’s arts infrastructure and secures a home for the province’s diverse and dynamic dance community.
The purchase was made possible through fundraising by The Dance Centre and our sister society the Dance Foundation, with major support from the Government of Canada’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the Province of British Columbia, and the City of Vancouver through its Making Space for Arts and Culture plan and grant program, alongside contributions from foundations and individual donors.
It was officially announced today at an event attended by representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, along with donors and artists.
With the land secured, the building will now be known simply as The Dance Centre, reclaiming the name envisioned more than forty years ago when we first set out to create a dedicated home for dance in British Columbia.
The Dance Foundation will now move into its next phase, fundraising for essential building upgrades, and an additional $1.5 million has already been raised toward this goal!
We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, the City of Vancouver, and the foundations and donors who have made this possible.
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“Today marks a defining moment for dance in British Columbia. Since opening our building 25 years ago we have seen over two million visits, supported thousands of artists, and welcomed audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Securing this land ensures that artists will always have a purpose-built home to create and innovate. It is an extraordinary day for our community, and we look forward to strengthening the dance sector and enriching the community’s cultural life for decades to come.”
-Mirna Zagar, Executive Director, The Dance Centre
“As our land lease approached its end, the future of this building was uncertain. Securing the site was critical. This is not simply a real estate transaction – it is an investment in cultural infrastructure, community vitality, and long-term sustainability in a city where access to creative space is increasingly fragile. This purchase bolsters the revitalization of the Granville Entertainment District and affirms the essential role of arts and culture in building vibrant neighbourhoods. We are profoundly grateful to the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, and the many donors and partners who made this possible.”
-Linda Blankstein, Chair of The Dance Foundation
“As an artist who has spent many years creating and working in this community, this moment feels very meaningful to me. Space is essential for artists – it is where we train, experiment, collaborate, and bring ideas to life. The purchase of this land shows a real commitment to supporting artists and recognizing the value of dance and the arts in our society. Through my work with Wen Wei Dance, I have seen how important it is for artists to have places where creativity and community can grow together. This investment will have a lasting impact, giving dancers and choreographers the opportunity to develop their work and share it with the public. I believe this is an important step for the future of our dance community and for the next generation of artists who will continue to shape the cultural life of our city.”
-Wen Wei Wang, Artistic Director of Wen Wei Dance and Dance Centre Board Director
“The arts are a source of great pride, central to who we are and a key economic driver. By investing in The Dance Centre, we are securing the future of this vital cultural hub in Vancouver – ensuring artists, audiences and communities can continue to come together through the power of movement and creativity.”
-The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
“The Dance Centre has been a leader in B.C.’s dance community for decades. I am so glad to see that it will continue to be a hub for creativity and innovation for many years to come. We are so proud to support the many incredible artists who call British Columbia home and are committed to ensuring that artists have spaces where they can develop and share their work with the community.”
-The Honourable Anne Kang, British Columbia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“The City of Vancouver proudly congratulates The Dance Centre on this important milestone, securing a permanent home for dancers, cultural organizations, and community members of all ages. This inclusive, non-profit hub will continue to enrich downtown Vancouver for generations to come. Protecting and expanding affordable, accessible cultural spaces is vital to a thriving city. We’re proud to have supported the land acquisition that made this achievement possible.”
-Ken Sim, Mayor, City of Vancouver
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A National Leader in Dance
The range of The Dance Centre’s programming is unparalleled in Canada. It encompasses artistic residencies and research labs, national and international exchanges, performances, showings, and community events, as well as the biennial Dance In Vancouver festival, which draws presenters from across the globe.
We have pioneered Indigenous-focused residencies in Canada and, through our Power of Dance program, engage seniors, elementary and secondary students, and newcomer youth to expand access to the transformative experience of dance.
Each season, our facility welcomes more than 87,000 visits and supports approximately 2,000 rehearsals, 800 classes and workshops, and 120 performances.
With ownership secured, we will now focus on strengthening our future by:
Quick Facts
The Dance Centre respectfully acknowledges that we work and dance on the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw), Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ), and Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) Nations, the original stewards and caretakers of these lands.
Top Left: Front row L to R: City of Vancouver Councillor Lenny Zhou, Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby-Yung, Councillor Lisa Dominato; Middle row Councillor Mike Klassen, Peter Meiszner, Dance Centre Executive Director Mirna Zagar, Dance Foundation Chair Linda Blankstein; Back row Councillor Sean Orr, Minister Marc Miller, Hedy Fry MP. Photo: Luciana Photography
Top Right: Ivan Hunter