Resources Page

Curated for Ontario dance artists, we have compiled a one-stop bookmarks page listing some names we think you should know! Explore all the amazing and dynamic organizations vital to the dance sector’s health, celebrations, and sustainability. 

If you have any suggestions for our resources page that we missed in our Ontario neighbourhood or would like to get more clarification on some of these organizations, feel free to drop us a message at communications@danceumbrella.net. We would love to hear from you! 

Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA)
Advocating on behalf of the professional Canadian dance sector. How do we know our voices are heard and our concerns are delivered to the politicians at Parliament Hill, who make crucial decisions such as allocating funds to Arts Councils, which trickles down to the millions of dance artists who rely on the funding and resources to do what we do? Working tirelessly behind the scenes, you can count on CDA, who are effortlessly championing and bringing to light the value of the professional dance milieu, the issues we face to promote a healthy, sustainable environment in which professional dance practice can grow and thrive.

Dance Collection Danse (DCD)
The keepers of preserving Canada’s dance heritage. If you have a keen interest in history, DCD is the place to go with drawers full of archival materials on our dance legacy. They host a wonderful array of programming, sharing the artifacts and knowledge with the international community through virtual and live exhibitions, screenings, lectures, workshops, education, dance animation, catalogues, annual magazine, books, and supporting research. Dance Collection Danse takes us back on memory lane, capturing the people who took risks and pushed the art form’s development. Thanks to their special care, the art and artists are not lost to time.

Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC) 
Thinking about your career(s) in dance and outside of dance? DTRC is a national, charitable organization dedicated to helping dancers make necessary transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers. They also operate as a resource centre for the dance community and general public and support activities that improve the socio-economic conditions of artists across the country. Look out for their next annual on the MOVE conference series for emerging dancers, hosted annually in multiple cities across the country as well as online, and connect with great resources to empower your dance career! 

The Dance Current
The ultimate Canadian dance magazine. Get the latest scoop, the action, the issues, plus the artists! The Dance Current brings readers inside the art and culture of dance in Canada, inclusive of all genres. Every issue, they present stimulating dance shots, an insider look at artists through profiles and interviews, opinions and critical commentary from people in the profession, plus event highlights to keep readers informed about upcoming performers.  

Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists – West Chapter (CADA/West)
Empowering dance artists across Western Canada through pragmatic resources, opportunities, and partnerships. Meet CADA/West, a not-for-profit organization supporting its members of all genres by providing core programs such as training subsidy program, professional fees and rates standards, advocacy, and much resources to uncover. 

Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists, East Chapter (CADA/East)
Educating professional standards for independent dance artists across Eastern Canada. Meet CADA/East, a not-for-profit organization empowering its members and fostering successful and sustainable careers in dance. They have a great website packed with great resources such as guidelines for negotiating work agreements, training subsidy program, advocacy, and much more. It’s yours to discover. 

Dance Ontario
Shining the spotlight on dance in Ontario. For all you dance lovers out there, make sure to check out this membership-based organization representing over 700 organizations from across the province and its regions! They always find new ways to amplify and connect Ontario’s diverse dance communities. Among the many events they host, Dance Weekend brings together a weekend of dance intrigue, captivating all dance audiences. 

Dance Immersion
Dance Immersion is a charitable non profit organization established by Vivine Scarlett in 1994 to produce, promote, and support dancers and dances of the African Diaspora. They offer presentation, skill development, and networking opportunities for Blacks in dance, serving artists who practice contemporary and traditional movement forms from Africa, the Caribbean, North America, South America, and Europe. 

Dance Umbrella of Ontario (DUO)
Delegate your arts management work while you focus on building your dance business! Led by dance artists’ vision and business endeavours, Dance Umbrella of Ontario (or “DUO” for short) directly collaborates with dance clients to provide pragmatic business strategies for their finances, production, touring, marketing, and art rentals. When life gets crazy busy or ready to outsource your day-to-day administrative responsibilities, cherry-pick a range of management services that fit your business needs and see your business grow.

Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance
The Indigenous Performing Alliance is a member driven organization serving Indigenous artists and arts organisations across Turtle Island. We provide opportunities for arts and culture workers to connect with one another, gain skills and knowledge, and advertise their work and events among the network.

Grant Writing Links
We’ve gathered all the Arts Council grant deadline links so it’s easier to search, while you focus on the more important stuff like getting that application written on time! 

That’s not it! Feel free to discover and connect with other hidden gems in your community.