a conference for graduating dance students & emerging...

a conference for graduating dance students & emerging dance professionals


Welcome to on the MOVE

on the MOVE is a dynamic career planning and networking conference designed specifically for young dancers entering professional dance careers.

Presented by the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC) in collaboration with regional and national arts service organizations, on the MOVE welcomes young dancers into the professional dance community, and provides them with the skills, resources and networking opportunities they need to make an inspired and informed transition into the dance profession.

Conference Objectives:

• To welcome new artists into the workforce;

• To build professional skills, knowledge and attitudes;

• To facilitate networking with peers, mentors and professional service organizations; and

• To introduce a holistic approach to professional development and personal and artistic growth.

Why on the MOVE?

A career in dance is unique, competitive and demanding. In today’s world, the vast majority of professional dancers are self-employed, working on a contract basis or self-producing. They do not have the support systems that most other professionals have in terms of continuing education/professional development, steady income, and mentoring opportunities. They are self-made entrepreneurs who need a wide range of skills to succeed in the dance profession, including budgeting, marketing, fundraising, grant writing and business management.

on the MOVE addresses these unique issues and helps dancers take charge of their careers and thrive in the dance profession.


Programming

Each year, on the MOVE is presented to hundreds of young dancers in cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Surrey, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Moncton and St. John’s.

Conference programming is thoughtfully designed to reflect the professional and cultural realities facing young Canadian dancers today. It also addresses the specific regional and linguistic needs of each dance community that hosts the conference. In planning the conference, the DTRC works in close partnership with professional training schools, dance companies and arts service organizations to present material that is not only timely and relevant, but also engaging and inspiring.

Workshops & Panel DiscussionsInteractive workshops and panel discussions are a major component of on the MOVE. These have addressed a wide range of critical learning areas, such as financial management, nutrition, mentorship, networking, work/life balancing, marketing & written communications, contracting & professional standards, and auditioning.

Networking OpportunitiesSubstantial time is given to networking events, allowing dancers to meet with respected senior dance professionals, representatives from national and regional service organizations, and other emerging dance artists. Developing these relationships helps emerging dancers build networks of support, communication and mentorship, and strengthens the entire dance community.

Resources Participants either receive a take-home information kit, or are given access to online resouces, which include workshop materials, “how-to”s on a range of relevant topics, and useful contact lists to assist them during their first few years as professional dancers.


Developing Programs

keep on MOVINGIn 2011, keep on MOVING was established in Toronto to offer emerging dance artists more focused and in-depth information on topics affecting their bourgeoning careers. The day-long event follows the format of on the MOVE, but is more suited to the maturity of emerging dancers, who have a more complex understanding of the issues involved in professional dance. As an artist-directed event, keep on MOVING is planned, organized and presented with the active participation of emerging dance artists of all dance genres.

on the MOVE-First StepsDesigned for high school-aged (14-18 year old) dancers, First Steps educates youth and their parents about a professional career in dance, and introduces them to the support networks and organizations serving artists. Past events have included panel discussions with professional dancers, service organization presentations, and workshops on health, wellness and injury prevention.

DT-Bis! DT-Bis! is a series of follow-up workshops for dancers who have attended Montreal’s on the MOVE conference (called danse TRANSIT). Building on the learning areas introduced at danse TRANSIT, each DT-Bis! session offers more in-depth information and further opportunity to connect with seasoned dance artists and other experts. Past topics have included how to establish a collective or dance company, and entrepreneurship in dance. DT-Bis! has been offered in both Montreal and Quebec City.

Generous support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and BMO Financial Group, along with the contributions of many other national and regional sponsors, makes on the MOVE/danse TRANSIT, First Steps, keep on MOVING, and DT-Bis! possible, and allow us to offer these vital learning opportunities to dancers free of charge.


History

On January 25, 2001, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, in collaboration with several dance service organizations in Ontario, presented the first on the MOVE conference.

The grass-roots initiative, held in Toronto at Premiere Dance Theatre, was designed to address the specific and pressing needs of emerging dance professionals by providing a range of skills, resources and networking opportunities to ease their transition from student to professional.

As a first-line transition tool for dancers entering professional careers, on the MOVE has been a resounding success. In 12 years, conference attendance has increased sixfold, and on the MOVE has grown into an annual event held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Calgary.

Hundreds of on the MOVE alumni have entered professional careers, and many past participants have returned to the conference as keynote speakers, mentors and volunteers.

Milestones

2001: Inaugural event in Toronto, Ontario.

2002: Based on the success of the 2001 pilot project, on the MOVE expands into a 2-day, annual event in Toronto, Ontario.

2004: First conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2005: First conference in Montreal, Quebec, entitled danse TRANSIT - un tremplin pour la relève.

2008: First conferences in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Calgary, Alberta; on the MOVE workshops presented at Canada Dance Festival, 2008.

2009: First conference in Edmonton, Alberta; on the MOVE - First Steps conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

2011First keep on MOVING conference for emerging dance artists in Toronto.

2012First on the MOVE-First Steps conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

on the MOVE is forever grateful to the original steering committee, who dedicated countless hours to bringing the inaugural (2001) conference to fruition: Actors’ Fund of Canada, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists, Dance Ontario Association, Dance Umbrella of Ontario, Dancer Transition Resource Centre, The Dance Current.

Allen Kaeja & Rex Harrington hosted the inaugural event.


Testimonials

“As a young artist, I really appreciated how on the MOVE brought dancers of different ages and ability levels together, creating an atmosphere in which we could build connections and learn from each other.”

on the MOVE PARTICIPANT, 2011

“I got so much out of the first edition of keep on MOVING. I learned about many resources, heard brilliant ideas, and connected with people I would have never connected with so easily - just because we were all in the same room together. Thank you for all your hard work and support!”

keep on MOVING PARTICIPANT, 2011

“I am so grateful to have had this experience. I was feeling pretty worried about graduating this year, but this conference has inspired me to get back on the ball of researching and planning my next few years! Thank you.”

on the MOVE PARTICIPANT, 2012

“Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity to connect with the dance community. I am so grateful for this experience. The

structure and content were fantastic. A total success!” keep on MOVING PARTICIPANT, 2012

“After experiencing on the MOVE, our students become more realistic and practical in addressing their careers. They see that there are people and organizations out there to help them, they are less intimidated to ask for help and they gain confidence in their abilities and their training. Talent as a dancer is essential, but it is not enough. Dancers need to know how to navigate their careers ... and the on the MOVE conference helps them set the right course.”

PAT FRASER, Artistic Director, School of Toronto Dance Theatre


About the Dancer Transition Resource CentreThe Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC) is non-profit national, charitable organization and the only organization in Canada dedicated to helping dancers make necessary transitions into, within and from professional performing careers. Since its inception, the DTRC has assisted over 10,000 professional dancers and provided more than $5 million in retraining grants, subsistence and a full range of academic, career, financial, legal and personal counselling services. With offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and regional representatives across the country, the DTRC works towards increasing public awareness of dancer transition and enhancing the socio-economic conditions of artists nationwide

For more information:

Please visit www.dtrc.ca Or contact your local DTRC representative:

Winnipeg, [email protected]

Vancouver, [email protected]

Montreal, [email protected]

Calgary, [email protected]

Toronto, ONAmanda HancoxExecutive [email protected] x24 Halifax, NS

[email protected]

a conference for graduating dance students & emerging...

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