Upcoming Deadlines - The Dance Centre

Dance Centre members benefit from a wide range of programs and awards. We support research, creation, professional development, and public engagement.

We welcome artists from historically marginalized communities and support all traditions and genres. Artist members at all career stages are encouraged to apply.
Dance Centre membership is required for all programs.
An annual call for submissions is issued 15 months in advance for most programs. Some exceptions apply (12 Minutes Max, SummerSpace, Open Stage).

How to apply:

Read the guidelines below.
Review current programs on our website to determine which is a fit for you.
Contact the Associate Programming Director if you wish to discuss your project in more detail: 604.606.6405 programming[at]thedancecentre.ca
Submit your proposal online – short videos now accepted.

Programs

Madeleine Gilbert and Miakanese Manning pose in front of a project of dance artists performing.

12 MINUTES MAX: EXPERIMENTATION + DIALOGUE

When:

September 2025-June 2026

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging

12MM aims to foster experimentation and the development of a choreographic idea or work-in-progress, from the initial stages through to the first public encounter.
There is one application deadline for all three modules. Artists select their preferred module, but will also connect as a cohort throughout the season.
Module 1: Sept-Nov 2025 (showing Dec 1, 2025); Module 2: Jan-Mar 2026 (showing Mar 30, 2026); Module 3: Apr-May 2026 (showing June 1, 2026).
Participants receive subsidized studio space at Scotiabank Dance Centre, ongoing support and feedback from facilitators, access to professional development over the season including Craft Development Series workshops and Business of Dance sessions, lighting design consultation, and professional video and photographic documentation.
Participants share their research with their peers in the program and participate in community dialogues with audiences at public showings.
Artists will be notified before the end of August 2025.
Details.

The deadline for submissions (2025-2026 season) has now passed

A seated dance artist lies on a floor looking at the camera. His legs and chair are being held up perpendicular.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: CREATE + ENGAGE

When:

Season-wide: September 2026-August 2027

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

The AIR program supports artists in the creative development phase of a new work, and connects them with wider audiences through outreach and adjunct activities.
Artists receive fully-subsidized studio and/or theatre space, with potential for supported presentation and participation in other programs; documentation (video, photo, digital, written); mentorship, exchange and networking opportunities; on-site resources (work space, computers, projectors, video and related equipment) and staffing and infrastructure support for outreach initiatives.
Proposals should articulate how a residency would be a creative contribution to your needs, and show a clear goal related to your professional path. You should also include outreach ideas to engage a broader community, such as studio showings, talks or classes.
Larger projects must include a secured funding contribution, or other confirmed financial support or partnership engagement.
Creativity, collaboration and exploration are encouraged when developing outreach activities.
Local artists collaborating with other artists from across Canada and abroad are also eligible.

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

Company 605 performs inside Scotiabank Dance Centre

BRING YOUR OWN PROJECT

When:

Season-wide: September 2026-August 2027

Who can apply:

All members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

For any proposals which don’t fit into other programs, such as:
One-time special projects or partnerships; programming beyond the stage (online media, dance video projects, and related initiatives); discourse projects (roundtables, panels, writing, ideas exchange); and exhibitions (dance-related visual arts and media-based installations).

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

A dance artist raises her arms in the arm, mid performance. She appears to be screaming and has a mic on her ear.

DANCE IN VANCOUVER: BIENNIAL PLATFORM

When:

November 2027

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

DIV contributes to the dissemination of choreographic works through touring and exchanges, fosters collaboration among dance communities regionally, nationally and internationally, connects artists with presenters, and contributes to the strengthening of the dance infrastructure in BC.
Events include public performances, studio showings and specific programming for presenters who attend from across Canada and around the world.
Artists may apply for Mainstage Performances (completed and tour-ready works, tech rider required); Studio Showings (completed or works in progress); and Special Projects.

The call for submissions will open in 2026

A large cube of paper stands in a black box theatre. It is lit from many sides, showing the silhouette of a dance artist standing on the inside of the box.

DANCELAB: INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

When:

Season-wide: September 2026-August 2027

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

The DanceLab supports research and collaboration between dance artists and those working in other art forms (eg film, music, theatre, visual art), aiming to enhance dialogue, provoke thought, encourage risk, and develop opportunities.
Your proposal must articulate a clear goal, and include collaborators from other disciplines: this program is not a substitute for rehearsals.
Participants receive up to 40 hours of fully-subsidized studio space; and host an open studio sharing for peers and the public to discuss and observe the research process.
DanceLab is an ideal precursor to Artist-In-Residence.

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

DISCOVER DANCE! PERFORMANCE SERIES

When:

Fall 2026 + Spring 2027
Thursdays at noon

Who can apply:

All members

Level:

Mid-career, established

Popular, informal, low-tech performance series promoting BC-based dance of all genres and cultural traditions to a broad audience.
Fun, entertaining, educational shows combine performance, discussion, Q&A sessions and at times audience participation, lasting one hour in total.
Your show should be polished, engaging and lively: this program is also well suited to assist you in promoting your upcoming activities.

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

Dancers perform in the lobby of the Vancouver Public Library for International Dance Day

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY: CELEBRATING THE ART OF DANCE

When:

April 29, 2027

Who can apply:

All members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

IDD is a global celebration of the art of dance through free, engaging public events
Activities may include informal performances, workshops, classes, studio presentations and more.
Your event should be accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
Partnerships with other organizations, schools and venues are encouraged.

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

Three dance artists lean over toward their left with their arms outstretched while looking at the floor. They are wearing casual, bright, rehearsal clothing.

OPEN STAGE: SHARED PERFORMANCE

When:

TBA

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Mainly emerging but artists at all career stages are eligible.

Open Stage is an opportunity for artists to share an evening of performance with their peers in the theatre at Scotiabank Dance Centre. The Dance Centre will provide free theatre rental, 1 Head Technician and 1 crew, front of house/box office personnel, ushers, and limited umbrella marketing through digital channels. Box office revenues will be shared between participants, based on a 75/25 split with The Dance Centre.
The duration of each work should be 10-30 minutes. Each artist will receive up to one hour of technical rehearsal, working with the theatre house plot. Artists will need to work collaboratively on scheduling, program order, and marketing.
Provide the name of the work, running time, number of dancers, technical requirements, a short bio, and a SHORT description of the work.
Slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis however preference will be given to artists who have not been programmed in a previous edition of Open Stage.

Submissions are currently closed

A dance artist mid performance. There is a orange and yellow background behind her and the floor is lit with green light. The dancers hair is blurry with movement and her arms are extended as if she is about to raise them up.

QUEBEC-BC RESIDENCY EXCHANGE

When:

January-February 2027

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging to mid-career

A research-based exchange residency offered in partnership with Circuit-Est centre chorégraphique is offered to one BC-based choreographer.
Applicants must be engaged in a professional career in dance creation, demonstrate a collaborative creative process and a rigorous approach to choreography, and have recently shown work to a public audience. Priority will be given to IBPOC artists.
The selected choreographer will receive a fee, flights to and from Montreal, accommodation, per diems and studio space.

The call for submissions for the 2027 edition will open in summer 2026

Dance students bend with arms raised in an open house class

SCOTIABANK DANCE CENTRE OPEN HOUSE: COMMUNITY EVENT

When:

Mid-September 2026: date TBA

Who can apply:

All members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

Open House offers a day of free events in a diverse range of dance styles for a broad public, in an informal, welcoming atmosphere.
You may propose a class/workshop, studio showing/open rehearsal, performance, talk, installation, or any other engaging, accessible event.

The deadline for submissions (2026-2027 season) has now passed

A dance artist mid dance in a bright studio. They are wearing shorts, a tank top and a yellow headband and their arms are extended

SUMMERSPACE

When:

July-August 2026

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging and mid-career

SummerSpace is designed to support the choreographic research of up to six artists who are under-resourced and lack access to studio space.
Artists receive up to 60 hours (weekdays) fully-subsidized studio space; exchange and connection with SummerSpace creative cohort; program associate staffing support; documentation; and participate in informal gatherings at the end of each month for socializing, sharing and engagement.
Proposals should articulate how the SummerSpace program will benefit and support your choreographic research.
Open to research and exploration at any stage of the work.

The deadline for submissions (summer 2026 season) has now passed

Awards

ISADORA AWARD

When:

Annual

Who is eligible:

Full Artist/Company members

Level:

Established

Initiated by The Dance Centre in 1999, the Isadora Award recognizes professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to dance in BC through excellence in performance and/or choreography.
The award is open to established choreographers working in all traditions and genres.
The recipient will receive a specially-designed award created by renowned glass sculptor Mary Filer, studio/theatre space up to a value of $4000, and $1,000 cash.

The deadline for nominations (2026-2027 season) has now passed

Head shot of Anya Saugstad: a woman sits on wooden steps. Her curly dark hair is up and she is wearing a black sweater that is falling off her shoulders showing her necklaces and black tank top.

IRIS GARLAND EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD

When:

Biennial

Who is eligible:

Full Artist and Company members

Level:

Emerging

The IGECA is presented every two years to a senior dance student or emerging dance artist between 19 and 35 years of age who demonstrates exceptional choreographic ability and the potential to realize a future in the creative realm of dance.
The Award invests up to $5,000 into the chosen work, to be used towards the creation and/or production costs of presenting the work in the Faris Family Studio at Scotiabank Dance Centre.

The next call for submissions will open in 2026

THE LOLA AWARD

When:

Biennial

Who is eligible:

Full Artist/Company members

Level:

Mid-career, established

The biennial Lola Award was created in memory of the much-loved Vancouver choreographer Lola MacLaughlin who passed away in 2009.
Worth $10,000, the Award is given to a mid-career or senior level choreographer, highly respected by his/her peers, who has demonstrated an adventurous willingness to push beyond the boundaries of movement/dance performance into collaborative, interdisciplinary work that draws on elements of spoken word, theatre, video, design, visual arts, music composition and/or other media.

The deadline for nominations (2026-2027 season) has now passed

How to apply:

Programs

12 MINUTES MAX: EXPERIMENTATION + DIALOGUE

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: CREATE + ENGAGE

BRING YOUR OWN PROJECT

DANCE IN VANCOUVER: BIENNIAL PLATFORM

DANCELAB: INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

DISCOVER DANCE! PERFORMANCE SERIES

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY: CELEBRATING THE ART OF DANCE

OPEN STAGE: SHARED PERFORMANCE

QUEBEC-BC RESIDENCY EXCHANGE

SCOTIABANK DANCE CENTRE OPEN HOUSE: COMMUNITY EVENT

SUMMERSPACE

Awards

ISADORA AWARD

IRIS GARLAND EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD

THE LOLA AWARD

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