2010/11 Annual Report DANCER TRANSITION RESOURCE CENTRE kinesiology, osteopathy, political of our members continues to be the science and pre-medicine. inspiration we draw on as we work We continued to develop our on their behalf. Their achievements private sector fundraising and we are on and off the stage are truly fortunate to have a strong base of remarkable. We are extremely loyal supporters. Over 75% of our grateful to our Board, staff, Advisory budget was directed to programs Council, Artistic Resource Committee and services for our members. Our and volunteers for their stalwart fundraising efforts were essential work on our behalf; and to the to helping us meet the nearly 40% Department of Canadian Heritage, increase in our grants and awards federal and provincial funders, requests this past year. foundations, corporations, affiliated Technology played a significant dance companies and our many or the DTRC and its members, role in 2010/11 as we launched loyal individual donors for their vital 2010/11 was a year of our new bilingual website early in support. Freflection on the past and the year. The addition of videos, preparation for the future. As we dancers’ stories, blogs, a job board geared up to celebrate our 25th and enriched resources make it an anniversary, our dancers busily excellent outreach and communication prepared for their futures with the tool for dancers and supporters alike. Amanda Hancox, Executive Director DTRC’s financial and programming This new site enabled us to live- support. stream sessions from our conference Over 500 young dancers across for emerging artists, allowing dancers the country readied themselves from across the country to take an for their transition from student to active part in the discussions. professional through our annual, The courage, passion and creativity Garry Neil, Board Chair national on the MOVE/danse TRANSIT program. As one participant noted, “on the MOVE has reassured me a career in dance is possible. I’m ready to take myself seriously as a dance artist!”. At the same time, mid-career dancers were honing their transferable skills studying marketing, business development, computer applications, communications and languages, with the support of DTRC’s skills grants. In a milieu where most dancers are independent and entrepreneurial, developing a bank of skills that can be transferred to any career makes good Helping sense. A unique collaboration between the DTRC, Ryerson University and Dancers the National Ballet of Canada enabled dancers who were just beginning The DTRC’s mandate is to to think about a post performance Every Step help dancers make necessary career the opportunity to get some transitions into, within, and university courses under their belt from professional performing while still performing. Meanwhile, of the Way careers. We work with dancers those ready to embark on the next on an individual basis, providing phase of their career began full- compassionate support and time studies at institutions across practical services so they can the country in fields as diverse as reach their potential throughout architectural technology, cultural their dance careers and after Bharatanatyam dancer Nova Bhattacharya, Front cover: Pulga Muchochoma of Toronto Dance Theatre, Photo by Allison Caroline Smith. management, environmental design, photo by John Lauener retirement from performance. 2 Makaila Wallace, photo by David Cooper. The Path of Transition MEMBERSHIP BY REGION Ontario Quebec 31% 30% INTO stresses placed upon these artists After graduating from school, young and will assist us in developing our dancers transition into a demanding programs so that we may offer Atlantic and competitive career that is, mid-career dancers what they need Provinces because of the intense physicality of to succeed in the current milieu. 2% International Manitoba the profession, often shorter than Through counselling, workshops, 5% 5% those of other artistic disciplines. career exploration opportunities, Alberta 5% For emerging artists, a smooth transferable skills grants, and British Columbia 22% transition into the profession is more – the DTRC will continue to vital to make headway toward encourage and support mid-career their career goals. In 2010/11, dancers as they broaden their skill MEMBERSHIP GROWTH 2001-2011 the DTRC offered its annual series set, sustain themselves as artists, of on the MOVE/danse TRANSIT and fulfil their career goals. 700 conferences designed to empower 650 emerging dancers with specific tools FROM 600 and information needed to make a There will come a time when a life 550 successful transition into the career. on stage is no longer possible. 500 These events connect dancers To guide members through this 450 across the country with the latest transition, we offer specialized resources and support networks, personal and career counselling 400 and provide them with practical, so that they can discover their 350 relevant information that prepares passions beyond performance and 300 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 them to enter their dance careers create a plan to achieve their next with confidence. goal. This support allows dancers to see their transition as a new membership WITHIN beginning filled with opportunity. At the end of 2011, there In 2010, the DTRC supported ‘Stuck Most dancers pursuing a second were 676 members across the in the Middle’, an exploration into career path will choose another country, an increase of 4% in the specific circumstances and highly skilled profession to address the past year. With members work life of mid-career independent their quest for a new challenge. from Victoria to Whitehorse dancers. While the focus of the Often a dancer has been inspired to St John’s, representing a study was on Toronto-based by a professional who has helped stunning array of dance styles, contemporary dancers, there is them during their career, as in the DTRC membership continues to evidence to suggest that the case of those who pursue medicine, reflect the richness of Canada’s situation is similar across the physiotherapy or counselling, and professional dance community. country. This research confirmed see it as a way to give back to their We look forward to continued our understanding regarding the dance community. growth in membership. 3 DANCER TRANSITION RESOURCE CENTRE Guiding Young Dancers into Professional Careers As a young artist, I really appreciated how on the MOVE brought dancers together, creating an atmosphere in which we could build connections and learn from Through on the MOVE/danse Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, each other. I returned to on the TRANSIT and DT-BIS! career Toronto, Montreal and, for the first MOVE as a guest speaker to inspire planning and networking events, time, Moncton, NB. This represents young dancers, share some of the DTRC educates and inspires a 10% increase in participants from the lessons I have learned as an young dancers by building their the past year. emerging artist, and provide them skills, knowledge, and confidence, As a follow-up to Montreal’s with the same guidance as was while introducing them to their danse TRANSIT, the DTRC continued provided to me. community and support networks. to offer DT-Bis! workshops to In 2010/11, close to 500 Montreal and Quebec City’s vibrant — Danielle Gardner graduating dance students and dance communities. This year’s DT- Finalist on So You Think You Can emerging artists attended on the Bis! workshops covered important Dance Canada Season 3; attended MOVE/danse TRANSIT programming topics such as stress management, on the MOVE in 2007; guest held in eight cities across the injury prevention, and how to speaker at on the MOVE – Surrey in country: Vancouver, Surrey, handle criticism. April, 2011 Addressing the Unique Needs of Emerging Artists In March 2011, the DTRC presented was on being creative in their quest lively discussions. Portions of this its first keep on MOVING conference for work, networking opportunities, video are available on our keep on for emerging artists. Developed and funding for their projects. A MOVING webpage. as a continuation of on the MOVE, dynamic group of leading edge keep on MOVING was designed professionals led the participants Generous project support from specifically for dance artists who in topics that included exploring the Canada Council for the Arts are 2-5 years into their professional cross-disciplinary and community and the Ontario Arts Council, along careers. Offering focused and in- based opportunities, corporate with contributions from many other depth information, KOM is an artist- and community scholarship national and regional sponsors, directed event – planned, organized, collaborations, and promoting makes on the MOVE/danse and presented with the active yourself on a budget. TRANSIT/keep on MOVING possible, participation of emerging dance Several conference sessions were and allows us to offer these vital artists of all dance genres. live-streamed through the DTRC’s learning opportunities to dancers 75 participants took part in the website, allowing dancers across the free of charge. inaugural event, where the focus country a chance to take part in the 4 TRANSITIONS | Volume 8 2010/11| Issue 1 Annual| Spring Report 2011 counselling In 2010/11, the DTRC provided Outreach over 700 hours of career, personal, academic, financial, and legal Through counselling services, totalling over $53,000. Technology skills grants This year, the DTRC distributed almost $40,000 in skills grant professional In 2010/11, the DTRC unveiled funding to help dancers develop development workshops its new bilingual website. The skills transferable to any career. In 2010/11, the DTRC offered new site contains vital information Of the 75 skills grants awarded, workshops in financial planning, about DTRC services as well popular uses of the grant include taxes, stress management, career as educational and interactive language studies, entrepreneurial development, and work/life balance. resources for members, and business studies, pre-requisite As well, in collaboration with the supporters, and the general public.