Upcoming Deadlines - The Dance Centre

Dance artists can apply for a wide range of programs and awards which support research, creation, professional development, and public engagement.

Dance artists working in all traditions and genres, and at all career stages, are welcomed.
Dance Centre membership is required for all programs.
A call for submissions is issued each fall for the following season. Some programs such as 12 Minutes Max have deadlines throughout the season.

How to apply:

Read the guidelines below.
Review current programs on our website to determine which is a fit for you.
Contact the Programming Coordinator 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.
2022-2023 Reboot: Read the full details here and apply by emailing your application to members[at]thedancecentre.ca

Programs

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

12 MINUTES MAX: EXPERIMENTATION + DIALOGUE

When:

Fall, Winter, Spring sessions

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.
Artists have access to support and feedback from the facilitators, the opportunity to share the work with their peers in the program, and participate in community dialogues with audiences at public showings.
Participants receive subsidized studio space at Scotiabank Dance Centre, and participate in an informal public showing.
Details.

DEADLINES: November 2, 2022; January 25, 2023

apply now

Dance Artists Emmalena Fredriksson and Arash Khakpour perform

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: CREATE + ENGAGE

When:

Season-wide: September 2023-August 2024

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

Company 605 performs inside Scotiabank Dance Centre

BRING YOUR OWN PROJECT

When

Season-wide: September 2023-August 2024

Who can apply:

All members

Level:

Emerging, mid-career, established

For any proposals which don’t fit into the above 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).

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

DANCE IN VANCOUVER: BIENNIAL PLATFORM

When:

November 15-19, 2023

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

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 2023-August 2024

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

Three dancers walk toward the camera while dancing and wearing masks

DIGITAL DANCE: MICRO COMMISSIONS

When:

Season-wide: September 2023-August 2024

Who Can apply:

All members

Level:

Emerging, Mid-Career, Established

Up to six artists will be engaged to create digital content utilizing any of the various platforms available to be featured on our online channels.
Proposals should include ideas for the creation of movement-based video works (maximum 10 minutes duration), Instagram/Facebook Live, or Zoom-based events, etc.
Limited access to studios and the theatre at Scotiabank Dance Centre to assist with creation/production will be provided.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

DISCOVER DANCE! PERFORMANCE SERIES

When:

Fall 2023 + Spring 2024
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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

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, 2024

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

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:

May 1, 2023

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.
Preference will be given to first time applicants.

The call for 2022-2023 season is now closed.

Two dance artists rehearse in a bright dance studio. They are wearing face masks and rehearsal clothing. One is leaning on the back of the other with their arms outstretched around his neck. He is bending in a low lunge to support her.

REBOOT: MICRO-GRANTS

When

Monthly, year-round

Who can apply:

Full Artist and Company members

Level

Emerging and early career

Small grants of up to $500 to help artists (maximum 2 per month) improve skills and create work.
May be used for activities such as hiring collaborators (mentors, musicians, videographers, photographers), subsidizing project research/production, renting studios at Scotiabank Dance Centre, equipment rental, professional development, etc.
Read the full details before applying. Some conditions and restrictions apply.
Applications may only be submitted during each calendar month prior to the project taking place; first-come, first-served. Grants must be used by the end of that month.
To apply, email members [at] thedancecentre.ca.

End of the month prior to the project

FULL DETAILS

Dance students bend with arms raised in an open house class

SCOTIABANK DANCE CENTRE OPEN HOUSE: COMMUNITY EVENT

When:

September 16, 2023

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

Awards

Two dance artists from Corporeal Imago hang from the ceiling. They are wearing white rehearsal clothes.

ISADORA AWARD

When:

Award presented in the fall for performances in the previous season

Who is eligible:

Full Artist/Company members

Level:

Established

Initiated by The Dance Centre in 1999, the Isadora Award has evolved to a new iteration in 2020 of acknowledging an artist’s contribution to the milieu through a specific choreographic work. 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, a cash award of $2500, and rehearsal space at Scotiabank Dance Centre towards the creation of a new work.
Choreographers should submit videos of their work for consideration.

DEADLINE for 2021-2022 season presentations: December 1, 2022

FULL DETAILS

IRIS GARLAND EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD

When:

Award presented spring 2023

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.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2022

APPLY NOW

THE LOLA AWARD

When:

Next award will be presented in spring 2024

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.

Call for submissions will open late 2023

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

DIGITAL DANCE: MICRO COMMISSIONS

DISCOVER DANCE! PERFORMANCE SERIES

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY: CELEBRATING THE ART OF DANCE

OPEN STAGE: SHARED PERFORMANCE

REBOOT: MICRO-GRANTS

SCOTIABANK DANCE CENTRE OPEN HOUSE: COMMUNITY EVENT

Awards

ISADORA AWARD

IRIS GARLAND EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD

THE LOLA AWARD

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