New Works Cohort
The New Works Cohort Program is a 5-month long program offering both mentorship and coaching about the business aspect of dance. It aims to provide learning and guided experience towards independent artists' knowledge and stability within the dance art sector.
Since 1993 New Works has operated as a vibrant dance management + performance organization. We have provided stable, affordable management services to some of Vancouver’s most innovative dance artists. And this program aims to spread this knowledge into the new generations' art leaders.
Up to 10 participants get the opportunity to create individual learning strategies with the support and consultation of the New Works Artist Support team and hired Arts Administration professionals. The Cohort members will have access to monthly workshops and peer to peer learning sessions about essential topics such as grant writing, administration, graphic design, marketing, promotion, and more.
Next Intake:
Applications for the 2024 Cohort will be accepted starting in November. Watch this space for more information.
Program Outcomes:
Be part of a supportive network of dance makers, learning together and sharing experiences.
Shine a light towards where your career or company is going, and feel empowered with new skills so you can get there.
Be guided by a professional mentor, whose counsel is tailored specifically to your situation.
Those admitted into the program by the selection committee will have met the below requirements.
Program Requirements:
- This program is open to dance artists. Projects can include interdisciplinary elements.
- This program is open to individuals, collective, non-profits, and charities with an organizational budget under $150K.
- The artist or company must be based in BC.
- The participant must have clear and specific goals and objectives.
- The participant are available to attend the majority of the shared learning sessions each month of the program.
- The participant must commit to work with the mentor 1 hour each month during the duration of the program.
We prioritize applications from equity-seeking artists who have or are facing systemic barriers that infringe on their artistic career. This includes, but is not limited to, artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, Trans, Non-binary, Queer, Disabled, low income, and living in the intersections of these identities.
If you have any questions please contact info@newworks.ca
Check out the Cohort Program from past seasons
Alexis Fletcher
Carol Mendes | AMOK
Alexandra Clancy | Soleful Dance Collective
Carla Alcántara
Kami Reed Schuyler
Kaili Che
Kiera Shaw
Luciana Freire D’Anunciacao
Melissa Sorge | The Body Project
Punit Singh
Subscura | hushhush
2023 Cohort Program Coordinators:
Michelle Kneale,
& Jason Dubois, New Works Executive Director.
Jade A. Hails
Sarah Hin Ching U
COME EMOTE WITH ME, Rita Sheena
Shanny Rann, International Tristar Taiji Association
Paige McConnell and Kenzie Skoglund, Counterbalance Projects
Kaia Shukin
Rachel Helten
Elizabeth Ferns
Anya Saugstad
Sierra Megas
2022 Cohort Program Coordinators:
Michelle Kneale is an arts administrator, and dramaturg with over 10 years experience in professional theatre; She has worked for companies such as Boca del Lupo, Pi Theatre, Alberta Playwrights Network, Pumphouse Theatre, Handsome Alice Theatre, African Friendship Society, and Ne. Sans Opera and Dance. Michelle is currently Board Past President of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, and Board Vice President of Playwrights Canada Press. Michelle has experience with producing, governance, operations, administration, communications & outreach, grant writing, planning, leadership transitions, artist support, programming, as well as physical and digital organizing. & Julie Mamias, Former New Works Executive Director.
Jhoely Triana
Ne.Sans Opera and Dance (Idan Cohen)
Tamar Zehava Tabori
Stephanie Cyr
Joshua Ongcol
Kayla De Vos
Kelly McInnes
Lily Cryan
CAMP (Brenna Metzmeier, Sarah Formosa, Ted Littlemore, Isak Enquist, Eowynn Enquist) VD/CM Productions (Kay Huang Crossmaneuver & Virginia Duivenvoorden) 2021 Cohort Program Coordinators: Kristina Lemieux, arts manager with more than 20 years of professional experience. She is also a contemporary dancer. Raised in Treaty 6 territory (rural Alberta), Kristina lived in Edmonton, attending the University of Alberta, for 10 years before heading to Vancouver where her passion for the arts has driven collaboration, creation, and innovation in the Vancouver arts scene for over a decade. After working with Generator in a freelance capacity for several years, Kristina made the move to Toronto in January 2017 to take on the role of Lead Producer of Generator. She is also the proud co-founder and Creative Producer of F-O-R-M. Kristina is passionate about generating dialogue in the arts and, to this end, earned a certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement from Simon Fraser University. In all that she does she works to support independent artists across performing disciplines in finding ways to make art outside of the currently prescribed modes. & Julie Mamias, Former New Works Executive Director.