Toronto Heritage Dance

Toronto Heritage Dance is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Canada's dance heritage, with a focus on modern dance.

Mission

The organization's mission is to share Canadian dance classics and new creations with both established and developing audiences, aiming to enrich the dance journeys of artists and audience members alike. They are committed to the development of modern dance, recognizing its significant role in Canada's dance culture and its potential for innovation and performance exploration[1][2].

Activities

Toronto Heritage Dance engages in various performance seasons and outreach activities designed to re-position existing works in a contemporary context, fostering a vibrant dance presence in Toronto. These efforts celebrate Toronto as a major center for dance creation in Canada[1]. Additionally, the organization works to preserve and make accessible the works of senior Canadian choreographers, believing that engagement with these artists is crucial for the future of modern dance[3].

Goals

One of the primary goals of Toronto Heritage Dance is to perform works in repertory, ensuring that Canada's rich history of original choreography remains alive for current and future generations of dancers and choreographers. This approach parallels that of ballet companies, which often find success by respecting their own history[3].

Preservation of Dance Heritage

By celebrating the work of Toronto's senior choreographers, Toronto Heritage Dance contributes to the preservation of Canada's dance heritage, a mission that aligns with similar efforts globally, such as those of the Dance Heritage Coalition[5]. This endeavor is essential for maintaining a comprehensive and accessible record of dance accomplishments past, present, and future[5].

[1] https://www.torontoheritagedance.org/our-mission/ [2] https://www.torontoheritagedance.org [3] https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2011/09/15/york-researcher-helps-preserve-torontos-dance-heritage/ [4] https://tdt.org/about/history/ [5] https://danceheritage.org/mission.html