The Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence was engaged by Dancemakers in 2022-2023 to develop a series of Organizational Research Residencies to help inform the future development of Dancemakers and the sector at large.
These residencies engaged in research led by artists to help tangibly reorganize Dancemakers as a progressive dance institution.
How do we decolonize and concretely work in ways that radically do less harm, improve relations, and meaningfully support diverse dance as a dance production and presentation company?
Summer 2023
Reimagining an Institution: Dancemakers
The research culminated in a series of public sharings offered by artist-researchers Ravyn Wngz, Ange Loft, Pam Tzeng and Shaista Latif.
Working with lead researcher, Helen Yung of the Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence, the artists developed structural propositions, recommendations and workshops for the Dancemakers Board and dance communities.
Summer 2022
The Garden
An intimate, semi-asynchronous thought residency at Unit 2 and online for half a dozen leaders of various cultural groups including Dancemakers, Toronto Metropolitan University's Creative School, Vancouver Mural Festival, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Ukai Projects and ILL NANA/DiverseCity Dance Company.
As a group, participants created an experimental, emergent space called The Garden to explore vital questions for the contemporary progressive cultural institution. Facilitated by the Lab’s Chief Artistic Officer Helen Yung with dance artist Ravyn Wngz and dance artist Pam Tzeng.