Cross-Pollination brings exciting discussions of disability arts to the stage

by Emma Shular on April 23rd, 2024 at 4:28 PM

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The art of dance isn’t limited to language, ability or—in this case—distance.

Cross-Pollination: Sharing Practice in Integrated Dance and Disability Arts is a cross-Canada arts exchange program being co-hosted by New Works and The Dance Centre in Vancouver, and the National Art Centre in Ottawa. The project will be running for three months starting this spring, with the intention of sharing knowledge between the artists in both cities. Vancouver’s All Bodies Dance Project, Dance Centre artist-in-residence Adam Grant Warren (of Realwheels Theatre), and Ottawa’s Propeller Dance will be featured.

These three artists are making waves, as this is the first time they and their companies are engaging in an exchange of knowledge as diverse as Cross-Pollination, with the hopes that it will aid in the professional and artistic growth of the partaking artists—and translate into more diversity in their respective dance ecosystems.

Mirna Zagar, executive director of The Dance Centre, says in a statement that the centre is “thrilled to partner in this project that unites similar engagement across Canada in an effort to elevate the capacity of artists working in this unique field to achieve their visions and to raise awareness among the Canadian public for the evolving dance practice.”

The participating artists and organizations were chosen to receive support for this project by the CanDance Network’s annual Creative Exchange Project. The artists will be gathered in Vancouver for a week, then will migrate to Ottawa for the following week.

Naomi Brand, co-founder and artistic director of All Bodies Dance Project, says in a statement that she and the other artists were excited for the opportunity to “engage in genuine exchange, collaboration, and shared learning with peers across Canada working and creating integrated dance.”

The Vancouver side of the project will be held on May 16 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, and is free to attend. However, due to limited space, RSVP is required for admittance. An in-studio lecture and demonstration will take place starting at 12pm.