Artistic Director

Job title:

Artistic Director

Company

Job description

Position Summary
DanceWorks celebrates its 50th anniversary in the upcoming 2026–27 season. This pivotal moment
offers a unique opportunity to both honour the organization’s rich legacy and shape its bold next
chapter. DanceWorks is now seeking applications for the role of Artistic Director, a vital leadership role
that will shape the organization’s future.DanceWorks is a provincially incorporated non-profit charitable organization founded in 1977 and
incorporated in 1981. A leading presenter of individual dance artists and small to mid-sized dancecompanies, DanceWorks provides exceptional opportunities for professional dance artists. Through its
relationships and cooperation with presenters in other cities, DanceWorks assists artists/companies to
reach more audiences across Canada and abroad, giving wider exposure and encouraging their growth
and recognition.
DanceWorks supports the growth/development of artists and dance artistry through the medium of
performance, programming high quality work emerging from different dance traditions, by artists who
are making a significant contribution to the discipline. Dedicated to creating a vital and vibrant dance
presenting practice, DanceWorks embraces dances that take risks and engage a wide range of
audiences.
As a leading presenter of dance in all forms, DanceWorks develops and promotes seasons of high
quality, culturally pluralistic dance programming. DanceWorks’ programming supports cross racial
solidarity, holding space for IBPOC artists and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIAP+. Work that
addresses social justice issues, and challenges racism against Indigenous, Black and Asian peoples is
valued and encouraged. DanceWorks advances opportunities for the Disability Community within the
dance milieu. DanceWorks cultivates meaningful engagement with dance artists through outreach,
education and animation initiatives.
DanceWorks commits to present and support artists/companies well in advance of their performance
engagements with the series, and often continues long term relationships with them. Endorsement or
commitment from a presenter can assist artists to secure needed resources to achieve their artistic
vision. DanceWorks invests in artists’ new creations through commissions, creative and technical
residencies, and prior to performance opening, supports community outreach.
DanceWorks is a member and virtual tenant at the Centre for Social Innovation’s Annex location, 720
Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON.The incoming Artistic Director will be at the forefront of this evolution, curating compelling programming
and deepening community engagement with a forward-looking vision that reflects DanceWorks’ values
and leadership in the Canadian dance ecology.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director holds a strategic leadership position and is
responsible for bringing DanceWorks’ artistic vision to life while balancing it with operational oversight
to ensure programming has high impact and is sustainable.
The Artistic Director is responsible for curating and delivering programming that reflects excellence,
artistic diversity, and community relevance centred around three major themes:
1. Signature Series (formerly Mainstage): 3–4 live performances annually featuring local and
touring dance artists/companies;
2. Education & Outreach: in collaboration with school boards in the Greater Toronto Area,
DanceWorks conducts workshops and matinees to increase dance literacy among youth and
the general public;
3. Pilot Projects: including the Affiliate Artist Program and Unfinish / Unfurl, a mini-festival focused
on creative practice and choreographic process. These initiatives will be reviewed and refined to
ensure they align with DanceWorks’ current capacity and strategic direction, and may evolve
accordingly
DanceWorks operates as a digital, remote-first organization with a small, distributed team. The Artistic
Director must be comfortable with online collaboration and remote leadership, while also attending live
events and representing DanceWorks publicly at performances, meetings, and sector gatherings as
needed. As DanceWorks’ staff team operates on a part-time basis, the role requires a flexible,
proactive, and solutions-oriented approach to scheduling, planning, and communication.
Key Competencies/Experiences
● Knowledgeable – has a deep-seated knowledge of the dance sector, locally, nationally and
internationally
● Collaborative – can work closely as a team with General Manager, staff and Board of Directors
● Strong judgment and prioritization – adept at balancing artistic vision with operational
realities. Can navigate competing demands with maturity and make thoughtful, timely decisions.
Demonstrates ability to rally teams around priorities and hold space for multiple perspectives
without losing focus● Conflict resolution and emotional intelligence – brings poise, patience, and empathy to
challenging conversations. Able to resolve tensions constructively and foster alignment,
particularly when working with individuals with divergent viewpoints.
● Pursues continuous development and mentoring of others – develops self and is very
interested in developing staff and the dance artists/entities being presented
● Entrepreneurial mindset – has a clear understanding of the risks involved in presenting
diverse/experimental/contemporary dance artists and is able to see emerging
problems/challenges, marshal resources, and create public value for the work
● Artistic leadership – committed to nurturing and producing innovative dance work and
championing artists
● Action oriented – able to execute an artistic vision, plan effectively but also have the flexibility
and adaptability to make changes when conditions warrant it. Requires critical thinking and
problem solving
● Optimistic and opportunity-driven – identifies ways to advance programming and deepen
impact
Key Attributes/Leadership Qualities
● Diversity Minded – demonstrated commitment through advocacy or support for projects
featuring diverse communities
● Collaborative and self-aware – values teamwork, open dialogue, and constructive feedback;
able to work through differing viewpoints with clarity and respect, centering the best interests of
the organization
● Skilled communicator and listener – able to facilitate productive discussions, receive and give
feedback with professionalism, and support transparent decision-making across teams
● Open Minded – open to challenge, keen to engage with what they do not know, have the self
knowledge of where they are situated in their career and willing to engage and listen to others
who are also originators of new projects and ideas
● Creative/artist-centered – embraces the creative process and the capacity of artists for
surprise and is able to convey this to audiences. Comfortable with the mindset of a creative
producer and open to collaborating and bringing together creative people and stakeholders
● Excellent communicator – can effectively communicate DanceWorks’ artistic vision to all its
stakeholders including staff, artists, the media, collaborators, funders, sponsors and, most
importantly, the audience
● Persistent – doesn’t give up when conditions get difficult – has good understanding of their own
strengths and weaknessesGeneral Knowledge and Understanding
● Specific to DanceWorks – understands where DanceWorks is currently placed in the dance
ecology in Toronto and Canada and how the artistic vision can be implemented in that context.
● Awareness of senior leadership accountability – Demonstrates comfort with executive
decision-making, especially when prioritizing limited resources or navigating conflicting opinions.
Understands the importance of clear communication, transparency, and shared accountability in a collaborative, mission-driven context. Sufficient knowledge of finances, human resources,
operations and fundraising and how they all influence and react to the artistic plan

Expected salary

Location

Toronto, ON

Job date

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 03:20:32 GMT

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