Endangered Dance: A National Dance Heritage Strategy
The Danny Grossman Dance Company hosted Endangered Dance: A National Dance Heritage Forum January 19 and 20th, 2006 at Metro Hall, Council Chambers. Designed with three goals in mind, Endangered Dance drew attention to the critical need to protect our Canadian Dance Heritage, gain a better picture of the scope of preservation activities currently underway, including where collections are currently being held, and to collectively define goals that would lead us to the development of a dance heritage strategy. The forum was collaborative and inclusive, with action steps and themes identified by those in attendance. The process was democratic and delegate-driven.It was attended by over 90 individuals from across the country. The keynote speaker was Theresa Rowatt whose opening remarks set the stage for the urgency of the matter. “Time is not on our side” she reminded the group. Opening the forum with a rousing call to action, her speech also served to bring people up to date on work that had already gone into developing a national dance heritage strategy.
Impact
The forum had a solid, measurable impact on the artform as demonstrated through the identification of seven themes with short, mid and long range goals identified for further development of a Canadian dance legacy.
Themes and Action Steps – English
Themes and Action Steps – French
To join any of the above listed work groups, send an e-mail to info@dannygrossman.com with the theme group you would like to be added to.
Scan of Major Preservation Activities currently underway
The following papers were submitted by companies and individuals currently engaged in a major preservation initiative in Canada, re-printed with permission from their respective authors. (links)
Bibliothèque de la Danse of the École supérieure de ballet contemporain (ESBC) www.choreme.ca
Dance Collection Danse
DanceForms – Rhonda Ryman
Grassroots Archiving -A National Preservation Strategy for Dance
Judith Marcuse Dance Projects Archiving Project
Peggy Baker Dance Projects – The Choreographer’s Trust
Royal Winnipeg Ballet Alumni Association
Next Steps
Since the forum, a listserve entitled Endangered Dance, has been set up as a communications tool. To date, the list serve has over 100 people subscribed to it.
To subscribe to the listserve, click here:
Danny Grossman Dance Company is considering the possibility of holding a future meeting to follow up on themes developed at the forum.
Review of Recent Approaches to Growing Dance Legacy ::
Summary prepared by Theresa Rowat | For the Canada Council for the Arts October 2005 |
