ABOUT US

Kinetic Studio is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, development and presentation of contemporary dance. Based in K'jipuktuk/Halifax, we support professional dance artists by providing workshops, classes, artistic residencies, a seasonal program of finished and unfinished works, and more. We aim to foster a supportive, responsive and flexible environment that allows dance artists at all levels to develop to their full artistic potential.

The work of Kinetic Studio takes place in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral home and unceded traditional land of the Mi'kmaq people. We are grateful to be on this land, and have deep respect for those who have been its caretakers for many generations. We are committed to working to understand and live by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which govern this land.

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Kinetic is committed to building and nurturing spaces where artists can explore, create and grow with equity, justice, and respect. We recognize the inequities in our society that result in many artists being vulnerable to abuse, harassment and discrimination. We reject these abuses of power, and commit to work towards creating safer spaces for everyone. We envision an environment in which all artists can create with the freedom and respect we all deserve. 

Kinetic is committed to programming and supporting artists who represent a diversity of gender identities, races, sexual orientations, physical or mental abilities, and ethnicities.

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Kinetic Studio stands against the white supremacist, capitalist, patriarchal systems of oppression that govern us all. In this time of global and local outrage, and at all times, we stand with our black community members.

Photo below: Open Studio Series 2019/20 artist Shion Carter by Dayna Syndrowski

PARTNERING APART

Introducing: Partnering Apart, a program that keeps collaboration alive and fosters new relationships in this time of physical distancing. We invite Atlantic Canadian dance artists from a diverse range of styles, experience levels and backgrounds to submit simple proposals for this program. 

Partnering Apart will involve the creation of 3-5 minute online pieces made by two  individuals who have never worked together before. We are so excited for the partnerships and pieces that will emerge from this project! Please see the Call for Submissions below.

OPEN STUDIO SERIES 2020/21

***SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 15, 2020. KINETIC PARTICULARLY WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FROM ARTISTS THAT ARE BLACK, INDIGENOUS, OR PEOPLE OF COLOUR. ***

(Possibilité de soumettre en français - voir le lien ci-bas)

Kinetic Studio welcomes artists to submit works for consideration for the 2020/2021 OPEN STUDIO SERIES. Nova Scotia based artists are also invited to submit to the KINETIC EXPLORATIONS programme.

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ABOUT KINETIC STUDIO

Kinetic Studio is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, development and presentation of contemporary dance. Based in K'jipuktuk/Halifax, we support professional dance artists by providing workshops, classes, artistic residencies, a seasonal program of finished and unfinished works, and more. We aim to foster a supportive, responsive and flexible environment that allows dance artists at all levels to develop to their full artistic potential.

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Kinetic Studio is grateful to work in K'jipuktuk, on the ancestral and unceded traditional land of the Mi'kmaw people. 

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ABOUT THE OPEN STUDIO SERIES

The Open Studio Series offers choreographers the opportunity to show short in-progress or finished works in an informal, flexible setting. Performances are held over two weekends each season, at our home venue, DANSpace. 

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We are looking for innovative pieces from emerging and established artists working in Nova Scotia, the Maritimes, and across Canada. We are particularly interested in works where questioning and experimentation are alive. We seek a wide spectrum of approaches, including multi-disciplinary works that create dialogue and intersection. Traditional and alternative uses of space and time are invited. 

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In the 2020/2021 season the Open Studio Series will feature the work of 10-12 choreographers over two weekends:

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• The weekend of November 20th, 2020 – Nova Scotia Showcase

DUE TO THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY COVID-19, IN NOVEMBER WE WILL FEATURE ONLY NOVA SCOTIA BASED ARTISTS. WE KNOW THAT THESE PRESENTATIONS CANNOT LOOK THE SAME AS PREVIOUS OPEN STUDIO SERIES WEEKENDS, AND THERE CONTINUE TO BE MANY UNKNOWNS. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE FOLLOWING THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND HEALTH GUIDELINES THAT ARE IN PLACE AT THE TIME. CURRENTLY WE ANTICIPATE PRESENTING LIVE SHOWS THAT ARE ATTENDED BY SMALL, SOCIALLY DISTANCED AUDIENCES. WE ALSO PLAN TO MAKE USE OF ONLINE PLATFORMS. PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS FORMAT MAY CHANGE AS WE ADAPT AND RESPOND TO THE ONGOING SITUATION. AS NEEDED, WE WILL BE IN DISCUSSION WITH ARTISTS AROUND THE POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS AND FORMATS OF THIS WEEKEND. The weekend will show in-progress and finished works of 15 minutes or less.  We particularly welcome those who have not previously shown work through Kinetic Studio.

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• The weekend of February 5th, 2021

This weekend of the series will show in-progress and finished works of 15 minutes or less. The weekend will feature artists from across Canada, including Nova Scotia.

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ABOUT KINETIC EXPLORATIONS

The Kinetic Explorations programme provides support to a Nova Scotia based artist to explore new or developing dimensions of their choreographic process over the course of a season. The program is custom-tailored to the needs of the artist. Support generally includes access to rehearsal space, a stipend, documentation, and the opportunity to show work in both weekends of the Open Studio Series.

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SUBMISSION

1. Submit online using the Google Form (see below), or send it to: Kinetic Studio Artistic Director, Liliona Quarmyne 

2. Where possible, we ask that submissions be accompanied by a $15 application fee (see below). This fee contributes directly to Kinetic’s ability to support independent dance artists, and supports the Kinetic Explorations assessment process. Fees can be paid below or by cheque sent to Kinetic Studio, 41 Glenbourne Court, Halifax, NS B3S 1E2. We recognize that artists have different and often shifting financial realities. If paying this fee presents a barrier for you, please feel free to access our Artist Support Fund (please indicate in Google Form). 

3. Become a Kinetic Studio Member and receive discounted tickets to Kinetic events, $5 classes, and access to free rehearsal space! In addition, your membership directly supports the growth and development of contemporary dance artists at all levels. Membership is $10 annually, payable below or by cheque to Kinetic Studio, 41 Glenbourne Court, Halifax, NS B3S 1E2. 

DEADLINE JULY 3, 2020

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our home venue, DANSpace, is a third-floor studio located at 1531 Grafton Street, in the heart of downtown Halifax. The space comes with:

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• A Technician 

• A large, flexible performance area which is approximately 30' wide and 25' deep when set-up proscenium style

• Marley flooring

• Black side and back 8' and 10' masking flats that allow for a back crossover when set-up proscenium style

• A simple sound system

• Approximately 16 lamps (fresnels & lekos) 

• Audience seating on risers for up to 70 people

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Each choreographer is allotted 1 hour of tech rehearsal time.

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Presenting artists receive an honorarium, access to local rehearsal space, and documentation of their work. Limited travel funding is available. 

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All artists will be notified of the results of this application process by August 1, 2020. 

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Successful artists will be asked to provide preliminary promotional material, including photographs, by August 15, 2020.

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If you have questions about any of the above information or about the application process, please feel free to reach out to the Artistic Director, Liliona Quarmyne, at or 902-872-1355.

**Pour soumettre en français, cliquez ici

OUR PROGRAMS

The Open Studio Series

Kinetic Studio offers professional choreographers the opportunity to show in-progress or finished works through our Open Studio Series. Through this series, Kinetic presents curated performances of work three times a season, showcasing the pieces of approximately 15 choreographers in total. The majority of the participating artists are local, but we also include some out-of-town artists each season. Successful artists receive an honorarium, access to rehearsal space, and documentation of their work.

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Explorations

Through the support of the Craig Foundation, Kinetic Studio provides extra support to an artist to explore new or developing dimensions of their choreographic process. Each year the program is custom-tailored to the needs of the Explorations artist, with support generally including access to rehearsal space, a stipend, documentation, and the opportunity to show work multiple times over the season.

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Artistic Residencies

Kinetic Studio offers artistic residencies to dance artists and those wishing to explore dance and movement in their artistic practices. These residencies are offered to artists whose work falls within Kinetic Studio’s mandate, and most often take the form of access to rehearsal space. Other supports can also be considered. 

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Taking Steps to Fly

Jointly organized by Dance Nova Scotia and Kinetic Studio, Taking Steps to Fly is an annual showcase that provides young choreographers with the opportunity to present their work. 

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Participation is by application, with the showcase taking place in February of each year. Further information can be found here.

Please contact the Artistic Director at director@kineticstudio.ca for further information on any of our programs.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY