New Works Cohort Program

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.

Participants will expand their networks while gaining insights from leading performing arts professionals with expertise in fundraising, producing, organizational management, communications, career planning, and finance. Through peer learning sessions, the participants will gain sustainable skills and knowledge over the course of 5 months (from January to May 2024).

New Works Cohort 2025

Applications intake opens on October 18, 2024. Stay Tuned!

  • Kaili Che - Cohort 2023 Participant
    The New Works' team are committed, generous, and passionate individuals who want the best for you and the arts. The cohort program created and connected me to other trusting and caring artists. There was an endless abundance of learning and sharing knowledge/experience. I felt heard, seen, and safe during my time with them. I would highly encourage other artists to apply for this program and to not hesitate to reach out to the New Works' team with any questions.
    Kaili Che - Cohort 2023 Participant
  • Cohort 2024
    Definitely check out New Works. There's so much more to the arts that you need to learn, and they know how to teach you!
    Cohort 2024
  • Cohort 2024 participant
    Wonderful community cultivated in the Cohort program! New Works is breaking barriers to expand access to infrastructure, resource, and support in dance-making through transparency and advocacy.
    Cohort 2024 participant

Check out the Cohort Program from past seasons

2024 Cohort Program
2023 New Works Cohort Program:
Liat Har Lev/ Lili Flamenco
Isak Enquist and Eowynn Enquist
Just Donsan
Clarence Tang - Konichiwaack
Training Society of Vancouver - Antonio Jr. Somera
Lance Lim, Pigeon Den Art Collective
Fiana Kawane
Clala Dance Project
Sarah Hutton & Aiden Cass, Company generous mess
Kevin Shazam Li

2024 Cohort Program Facilitators:
Michelle Kneale,
& Jason Dubois, New Works Executive Director.
Read full bios
2023 Cohort Program
2023 New Works Cohort Program:
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.
2022 Cohort Program
2022 Cohort Program Participants:
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.
2021 Cohort Program
2021 Cohort Program Participants:
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.

Can’t commit to a long term program? No problem! Check out NW for Artists resources below: