News & Updates

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Our Organizational Rejuvenation Continues with a New Artistic Lead and General Manager

 

CanAsian Dance is thrilled to warmly welcome Angie Cheng and Candice Falby as the new Artistic Lead and General Manager, respectively, to our new co-leadership team. 
 

Angie and Candice are bringing their expertise, passion and relationships, as CanAsian Dance transitions to a new co-leadership structure and sharpens the activist dimension of our role. With Angie based in Montreal, expanding our artistic reach while nurturing our roots in Toronto, and Candice's dedication to administrative excellence within Toronto’s local dance community, we're poised for an exciting year ahead. 
 

Their fresh perspectives and energy will be pivotal to CanAsian Dance’s organizational rejuvenation, as the board continues implementing the recommendations from our recent organizational review. Working collaboratively with the board, Angie and Candice will revise our organization’s vision, mission, and values, and co-create CanAsian Dance’s strategic plan. 
 

Angie and Candice’s commitment to inclusion, empathy, care and empowerment will also drive CanAsian Dance’s artistic programming. As a foundation of their approach, they will foster community and spend time being in community—both in person and online—with local Asian diasporic dance practitioners. 
 

Welcome aboard, Angie and Candice—we can't wait to see where this journey takes us!

 

The selection committee was made up of Board Members Tom Cho, Linda Zhang, Brandy Leary and external consultant Suma Nair. We also thank everyone who applied and contributed to our search and invites all to stay tuned in the coming months as we hire three part-time Curatorial Committee Members to complete our new co-leadership team.

 

Meet Our Artistic Lead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                         photo by Angie Cheng

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CanAsian came about as a response to the needs of that time. In its 25 years of contribution to the landscape of Asian Dance in Toronto, it has made several shifts and changes in format and programming. We are now again in a time of change both in the structure of the organization as well as what it has to offer. I am excited for this opportunity to contribute to CanAsian as Artistic Lead. I am looking forward to fostering collaborative relationships while we build on our efforts to be a place of change and responsiveness to be in line with the needs of today. 

I value and prioritize: curatorial care, recognition for the intersections of (dance) practice, celebrating process equally to production, advocating for the value of artists in our local and national contexts and advocate for accountable, sustainable, transparent and healthy spaces for dance. 

In the coming months, I envision moments focused on bringing people together both virtually and live with artistic and knowledge-sharing gatherings and projects. Facilitating meaningful conversations to share knowledge and resources, be in conversation, learn, and create together. Hosting and creating occasions that nourishes creativity and solidarity. Check out our first action for Asian Heritage Month, where we call for nominations for our daily spotlight of a community member.

While I  join Candice (GM), and the board to build out our team with the curatorial committee, I am excited to meet the different artists of the Toronto Asian Dance community. I can not wait to build our relationship and explore the possibilities of how we can best serve you. 
 

- Angie Cheng, Artistic Lead

Angie Cheng is an independent artist in dance. Collaborative creation processes ground her ongoing research in performance; investigating the liminal space between the creative process and performance event, between spectator and performer. The embodied and specific understandings that arise from these investigations shape her current questions and engagements both in her own work and with others. She is also an advocate and has also been actively engaged in the conversations of inclusivity, diversity and accessibility as well as participating, in and co-leading collective actions and activities.  It’s not just what we make as artists but how. She is committed to ongoing learning and practicing consent, respect and accessibility: care in how we are together in all that she is engaged in. 

She is an associate artist of MAI and co-curator for their 25th anniversary, along with Alexandra “Spicey” Landé and Lara Kramer. 

The vice president on the board of ELAN (English Language Arts Network). 

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Meet Our General Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                         photo by Candice Falby

 

Excited to accept the position of General Manager, I am eager to bring my experience and passion to CanAsian Dance, aligning seamlessly with the organization's mission and inspired by its rich history within the dance sector. With my background in dance studio management, coupled with advocacy initiatives for BIPOC and the LGBTQ2S+ community, I am committed to fostering inclusive spaces and amplifying diverse voices within the arts.

My vision for CanAsian is centered around creating more opportunities for artists and expanding representation across the sector. Together, with Angie and the board, we will ensure that CanAsian Dance remains a vibrant platform for diverse artistic expression and community collaboration.
 

 
- Candice Falby, General Manager

 

Drawing on a lifetime of dance expertise as a professional dancer and teacher, Candice Falby eagerly merges her artistic background with a deep commitment to non-profit work. Her journey, which began in dance with an early education in jazz, ballet, and musical theatre, took her into teaching and performing Latin and Ballroom dance for over a decade. Life and motherhood lead her to managerial support services for Indigenous women and children, and sex and sexuality organizations in Toronto. 

Rooted in a tapestry of dance education and academic pursuits, Candice also has a BA in Behavioral Science, which brings a perspective of non-verbal communication and storytelling with the body. She also holds the position of GM at Anandam Dance Theatre. Her unwavering commitment to integrity and equity, Candice eagerly anticipates contributing to CanAsian Dance's mission, poised to collaborate with the CanAsian team to uphold, support, and promote representation within the artistic realms of movement and creativity.

 

 

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Ongoing: Seeking CanAsian Dance board members

 

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In 2022, we engaged consultants to consult with community members, including our core contributors. Among our aims? To investigate models of co-leadership in which the artistic vision does not rest with a singular individual. 

 

During this historic time for the organization, we implement co-leadership approaches and sharpen the activist dimension of our role. We will be expanding our board so that it can properly support these changes. Now is an opportunity to contribute and support the work in revisiting our vision, mission, and values, taking an activist turn in keeping with the urgencies of our time

 

We are committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and beyond.  We recognize, respect and value that diverse life experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints can only bring more to our organization. We actively encourage and welcome diverse candidates, with a  broad range of experience, even those without previous board experience.  We look forward to reviewing applications from a wide range of qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, and inclusion. 

 

We welcome all enquiries. We're also especially interested to hear from you if: 

• you have expertise in the dance sector, human resources, fundraising, strategic planning, and/or finance

• you have past experience engaging with CanAsian Dance (e.g., as a collaborator or program participant) 

• you're a member of any Asian communities and/or a practitioner of Asian dance forms that we’ve yet to strongly engage with. 

 

For queries info@canasiandance.com 

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Further details coming soon. 

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WE ARE HIRING! Read our latest news

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At CanAsian Dance, we're capping off a year of change with some of our biggest developments yet. Most importantly, we're hiring! In 2024, as we begin to implement co-leadership approaches, CanAsian Dance will be led by a Curatorial Committee comprising an Artistic Lead, a General Manager, and three Curatorial Committee Members.

As well as hiring, we're planning our transition to co-leadership—and we're seeking new board members to join us. Read on for these and other news items.

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We're hiring: Artistic Lead and General Manager

 

CanAsian Dance is seeking an Artistic Lead and a General Manager. Successful candidates will contribute to a historic time for the organization, as we implement co-leadership approaches to our work and sharpen the activist dimension of our role.

We are accepting individual applications for each role or alternatively, joint applications from duos who are applying for both roles. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, and will close by end of day, Friday January 26, 2024.

For queries and to request accommodations during the hiring process, please contact admin@canasiandance.com

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Read full job listings here

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We're planning: Our transition to co-leadership

 

What’s co-leadership and what might it look like for CanAsian Dance? 

Earlier this year, we engaged two consultants to answer this question, among others. They consulted with dance community members, including our core contributors. We recently released their final report.

As we begin implementing the report’s recommendations, here are some things we’re keeping in mind.

For CanAsian Dance, co-leadership is not "how many people"; it's "how we want to work." Co-leadership is a methodology outside of singular leader models. In the arts, it bridges administrative and artistic structures.

Transitioning to co-leadership is also a long game. To realize this transition under conducive and compassionate conditions, the organization needs the right resources. We'll honour the wisdom in the consultants' report by realizing its recommendations over time, as we gather these resources.

Heading into 2024, CanAsian Dance is seeking new staff. We're currently hiring for the two positions of Artistic Lead and General Manager. We anticipate that we'll call for further curatorial committee members in the spring. We're also seeking board members. Together, staff and board will incrementally transition CanAsian Dance to co-leadership.

In embarking on this transition, we want CanAsian Dance to have a long life—and to lead with empathy and radicality.

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We're seeking: CanAsian Dance board members

 

Want to join the CanAsian Dance board as the organization transitions to working within a co-leadership structure? With our incoming leadership staff and existing board members, you’ll co-create our strategic directions and shape our evolving role. 

We welcome all enquiries. We're also especially interested to hear from you if: 

• you have expertise in the dance sector, human resources, fundraising, strategic planning, and/or finance

• you have past experience engaging with CanAsian Dance (e.g., as a collaborator or program participant) 

• you're a member of any Asian communities and/or a practitioner of Asian dance forms that we’ve yet to strongly engage with. 

 

For queries and applications, contact admin@canasiandance.com. To apply, please submit your CV, along with a cover letter (max. one page) about your interest in the role and in CanAsian Dance. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, and will close by end of day, Wednesday January 31, 2024.

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We're appreciating: Coman Poon and Ariana Shaw

 

As we start the next stage of the CanAsian Dance story, we’re profoundly grateful to Coman Poon and Ariana Shaw. Our now former board president, Coman joined the board in January 2016. Ariana, our outgoing Managing Director, became General Manager in June 2021. 

Coman and Ariana have steered CanAsian Dance during a testing time. They’ve led our response to the departure of founding Artistic Director Denise Fujiwara. They also ensured the organization's survival during the early stages of the pandemic.

All of this required an incredible amount of work. What's more, Coman and Ariana did this work while juggling other arts jobs and commitments—as is so often the case in the arts sector.

During this often tiring time, Coman and Ariana went above and beyond to help guide CanAsian Dance in shifting to co-leadership, whilst maintaining the stability of the organization.

Coman and Ariana, thank you for giving your time and talent. We wish you all the best in the next stages of your stories. 

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January 30, 2024—CanAsian Dance will feature in a Creative Champions Network event

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Creative Champions Network helps arts board members to learn about good governance. Its case-based learning series highlights selected Toronto arts organizations. 

Join us on January 30 when CanAsian Dance features as one of the case studies. You’ll learn about our ongoing transition to co-leadership. And you’ll be better prepared to navigate challenges at your own organization.
 

Tuesday January 30, 2024
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Adaptavist Offices, 4th Floor
45 Front St E, Toronto, ON
Attendance is free

Register here

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September 5, 2022

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TEDD ROBINSON, 1952-2022

 

We mourn the passing of Tedd Robinson with heavy hearts.  He brought to CanAsian; dances, teaching, and mentorship imbued with his practice of dance both as a choreographer and as a Zen monk.  His work had the quality of Zen koans; mysterious, profound, droll and skillful. 

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He was loved and will be deeply missed. 

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– Denise Fujiwara, Artistic Director Emerita

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August 24, 2022

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CANASIAN DANCE ANNOUNCES TWO ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

TO CO-LEAD TO BE DANCED

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CanAsian Dance has decided on a path forward by bringing two Artistic Associates to pilot To Be Danced (TBD), an artistic (creation and curation) experiment that offers an intimate cohort an open-ended, critically rigourous and care-centred co-learning and co-mentoring opportunity. This begins with the appointment of both Mayumi Lashbrook and Michael Caldwell to be our inaugural Co-Artistic Associates for TBD. This proposal seeks a generative environment that seeds CanAsian’s commitment to exploring alternative models of cultivating artistic thought, process and action. In addition to the two Artistic Associates, there will be a public call-to-artists to join Mayumi and Michael in a co-curatorial and works-in-development process that is seeking alternative structures for the field.

This combination of two Artistic Associates will enhance the experience of the artists selected and enable an exchange of the Artistic Associates’ distinct, overlapping and complementary capacities.
 
The Artistic Associates bring expertise in community outreach and engagement, critical exchange, lived understanding of ecosystemic pressures and imbalances, knowledge and skills for rigourous thinking, as well as curatorial and development practices for artistic works. Their candidacy allows CanAsian Dance to support emergent processes not only for artists but also for curators interested in exploring shared and collective models.
 

Sincerely, 

CanAsian Dance Board & Staff
     Coman Poon, Board President
     Brandy Leary, Board Member
     David Norsworthy, Treasurer and Secretary
     Ariana Shaw, Managing Director

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