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Discussion

Curating With Values

Jul 3, 2026 | 12:30PM
Critical Distance Centre for Curators + Online

CURATOR
Guest Curator Model

Curating with values: Dancemakers Annual Symposium is our second annual symposium exploring the craft, practice and plurality of dance curation.

This year’s theme “Curating with Values” explores the ideological force behind curatorial decision making, asking both panellists and participants “what would it be like to curate using your values as a guide?”

Join us in person or online for two panels, a workshop, a reading circle, and a party as we celebrate going into our 4th year of Dancemakers’ Guest Curator Model.

Thursday July 2

7:00-10:00 | Opening Night Party at Cinecycle (In person only) music by Bibz and beers by our friends at Burdock Brewery!

Friday July 3

12:30-2:30 | Curating with Values (Across Disciplines) with Scott Miller-Berry, Sanjeet Takhar, Reza Nik, Sofi Gudiño & Johnny Forever Nawracaj

3:00-5:00 | Adventures in Curation with Independent Dance Curators Holly Chang, Kwasi Obeng Adeji, Purawai Yvas & Maxine Heppner

5:00-6:00 | Call for Curators Info Session with Co-Artistic Producers Christina de la Cruz and Cara Spooner (free of charge – show up in person or email artistic@dancemakers.org to participate virtually)

Saturday July 4

12:30-2:30 | Conflict in Curation Workshop with Pam Tzeng

2:45-4:30 | Curator’s reading group hosted by Shani K. Parsons & Christina de la Cruz – reading materials available here

Inspiration for this includes:

cUraTorS & ArtiSts

Bibin “Bibz” George

Bibz is a dancer-first DJ whose sound is deeply rooted in movement, groove, and connection.

Scott Miller Berry

Scott Miller Berry is a filmmaker and cultural worker who has worked in the arts in Toronto since 2001.

Sofí Gudiño

Sofi Gudiño is a dance artist, drag king and community organizer based in Toronto.

Johnny Forever Nawracaj

Johnny Forever Nawracaj is a non-binary Polish-born performance and media artist.

Sanjeet Takhar

Sanjeet Takhar is a music curator, event producer and dj based in Toronto.

Reza Nik

Reza Nik is the founding director of SHEEEP – a licensed architect, artist and educator based in Toronto, Canada.

Holly Chang

Holly Chang is a Toronto based artist, curator, and researcher. Her practice is focused on topics of hybridity, craft, and ecology.

Kwasi Obeng-Adjei

Kwasi Obeng-Adjei is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist, emerging choreographer, and dance educator based in Brampton, Ontario.

Maxine Heppner

Curator Maxine Heppner is a dance & inter-medial artist & educator known for her dedication to collaboration and community building since the 1970’s.

Purawai Vyas

Purawai Vyas is a Canadian dance artist based in Toronto, with a practice rooted in over two decades of Bharatanatyam training under Guru Lata Pada at Sampradaya Dance Academy.

Pam Tzeng

Pam Tzeng 曾小桐 (she/they) is a second-generation Taiwanese-Canadian choreographer, performer, arts worker.

Shani K. Parsons

Shani Khoo Parsons (she/her) is an independent curator, designer, mother, and founding director of Critical Distance Centre for Curators.

Christina de la Cruz

Christina de la Cruz is a Hip Hop dancer, artistic producer, curator of dance and performance and waitress.

Cara Spooner

Cara Spooner is a choreographer, caregiver and caretaker as well as one of the Co-Artistic Producers at Dancemakers.

acCessibilIty

Critical Distance (and all of 401 Richmond) is wheelchair accessible.

CineCycle is almost a fully wheelchair accessible space. The laneway entrance beside 129 Spadina has two steps and no automatic doors (but does have a ramp we can put out)! The rear entrance has no steps, but the path is uneven. Inside, the space (including gender-neutral washrooms) is all on one level. If you have any specific access needs, please get in touch.

All live events will offer ASL interpretation (upon request). Please contact us to request ASL Interpretation.

If you require audio description, please get in touch.

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