Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Dusk Dances is a curated dance event that brings high quality contemporary and traditional dance to public parks. Our mandate is to bring dance to communities by making it accessible physically (our venue is a public space), financially (admission is pay what you can), and artistically (our programming is diverse).

History of Organization

Created in 1993 by Sylvie Bouchard, Dusk Dances has since become a hugely popular summer event in Toronto and across Ontario. In 2005, Dusk Dances began its relationship with the Jane/Finch community, working closely with co-presenting partners from within the community, and adapting its programming to this neighbourhood. Between 2006 and 2008, Dusk Dances partnered with 6 co-presenting organizations around the province, touring its event, and incorporating local artists and youths in our programming. In 2009, Dusk Dances turned its focus to the GTA, with a goal to empower civic communities, create bridges between them, and build capacity using each communityʼs assets.

Accolades and Accomplishments

Dusk Dances has a strong track record of animating communities, fostering a sense of community pride, and improving the quality of life for residents. Over time, we have created more physically active and healthy communities by involving the public of all ages in our activities. We have narrowed the gap between artists and communities, between artists of different neighbourhoods, and between artists of different age groups and calibers. We have enhanced employment and economic potential by freely sharing our expertise with community members, artists, volunteers and partnering organizations; we have provided training and mentoring opportunities for youths; and we have initiated volunteers while engaging people in their own community.

Dusk Dances is supported by all levels of government (Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage), has received four Ontario Trillium Foundation grants, and a 3-year Strategic Initiative grant from the Metcalf Foundation (2006-08). Dusk Dances received a Great Grant Award from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2007, and in 2011, the organization was nominated for the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Programs

>Dusk Dances GTA Initiative

Dusk Dances presents dance throughout the GTA, with selected provincial and national touring. The format of a Dusk Dances event is constant across all locations: as dusk descends, a theatrical host leads the audience to four or five short eclectic dance pieces that unfold in different areas of the park. Choreographers from various cultural backgrounds are programmed to present a ten-minute piece in the park's natural environment. Audiences are invited on a pay-what-you-can basis to this innovative site-specific festival, which is not only an artistic event, but a social and cultural one as well.

Our current programs include:

• GTA Initiative - 4-year project focused on presenting a Dusk Dances event in underserved communities across Toronto. Combining professional artists with local community-based artists and youth, our events invigorate parks in neighbourhoods that don't have easy access to performing arts events. 
• Downtown Festival - Each August, we present our annual downtown festival at Withrow Park. Dusk Dances has become an annual fixture in this neighbourhood, drawing crowds of up to 850 a night. At Withrow, we premiere new works from professional choreographers that continue to tour in future seasons.
• Licensing Initiative - 3-year pilot project licensing Dusk Dances' name and concept to interested partners and community organizers across the province. Through mentorship and collaboration, these new regional producers are launching their own satellite Dusk Dances events.

Dusk Dances GTA Initiative

The Dusk Dances GTA Initiative is a 4-year project that began in 2009, with the aim of building artistic capacity and pride in underserved communities. We have partnered with community organizations and social service agencies from several neighbourhoods to present a Dusk Dances event every summer, in communities throughout the GTA.

Our GTA program follows a specific model:

• 2 professional Dusk Dances pieces.
• 1 youth commission: a new dance work created by a professional local choreographer for local youth.
• 1 local commission: a new dance work created by a local emerging choreographer for local emerging dancers.

We've learned that Dusk Dances’ format can transfer to new communities effectively, that our outreach efforts do build loyalty, and that communities value Dusk Dances. We work with an adaptable model that allows us to program with our partners and plan an event that will speak to their individual communities. By involving local artists and youth in our events, we give them a chance to perform alongside professional dance artists as well as artists from their own community.

Since its inception, Dusk Dances has had a desire to improve the quality of life of Toronto residents by providing high quality dance programming, and removing obstacles to the enjoyment of the art form by performing in a public park on a pay-what-you-can basis. This focus on accessibility and inclusivity is reflected in the programming choices, which range widely in terms of dance styles and traditions. As an art form with no language barrier, dance is universal in its appeal, impact, and is a perfect bridge-maker between people from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures.

Funding and Program Partners

The Dusk Dances GTA Initiative is generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council. Last year (2011) we were supported by the TELUS Community Board to deliver our youth programming in the GTA. Dusk Dances is also supported by many individual donors and private foundations.

This GTA Initiative is delivered in partnership with:

• Agincourt Community Services Association at McGregor Park.

• Malvern Family Resource Centre and The S.P.O.T. (Success, Power, Opportunity, Teamwork) at Neilson Park

• Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services and Black Creek Community Health Centre at Chalkfarm Park.

• Art Starts at Earlscourt Park.

Program Impact

Since the beginning of our GTA Initiative in 2009, we have commissioned 9 new works in the GTA, involving 71 youth altogether.

The positive impact of this program on the youth has been reported every year by all the choreographers involved. By involving all of the performers in various activities during the week of performances, we bring together the youth participants and the professional artists in a very powerful shared experience.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Almost all Ontarians polled in 2010 (95%) believe that the arts enrich the quality of life; 81% approve government investment in the arts; and 80% of Torontonians polled in 2009 said municipal investment in arts in public spaces was likely to boost the local economy.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs® 2011)

Participant Vignette

One of our youth participants at Earlscourt Park, an 11-year old boy named Laurence, barely spoke at the beginning of the summer. He came to every rehearsal for Dusk Dances and decided late in the process that he did not want to perform in the final performance. I was disappointed but decided not to put too much pressure on him, hoping he’d come around on his own. Ultimately, it was evident that his fellow youth participants rallied to convince him how important he was to the routine. Not only did Laurence come around and decide he wanted to commit to the show, but he had the time of his life. At the show’s meet and greet with the entire cast and crew, Laurence proudly introduced himself and explained that he loved to dance (which he had clearly never done before) which is why he was here. He had a small featured role in the dance too that got chuckles every night. His mom claims that he loved it so much and was “happier at home”. The growth in this child because of this experience was unbelievable.

-From Erin Schachter, our co-producer at Art Starts (Earlscourt Park)