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.

ANNUAL PROGRAMMING

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.

PARTNERING APART

The Partnering Apart Special Series Program was Kinetic Studio’s way of keeping collaboration alive and fostering new relationships in this time of physical distancing. At the peak of the pandemic, we invited self-identifying movement/dance artists to submit proposals for the creation of 3-5 minute pieces that were to be created by two individuals in the Atlantic region who had never worked together before.

TINY DANCES FESTIVAL

Kinetic Studio hosted its first ever Tiny Dances Festival on May 1st, 2020 - an interactive online evening of video dance and movement. The e-festival emerged as a way to satifsy the needs of the creative community in Nova Scotia to come together, create, and celebrate dance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 100 people in Nova Scotia and around the world gathered over Zoom to support the dance community.

The evening featured original video works by local choreographers Lydia Zimmer, Jessica Lowe, Anastasia Wiebe, Rebecca Wolfe, Georgia Skinner, Lisa Phinney Langley, Jacinte Armstrong, Kathleen Doherty and Michèle Slattery, and included a live-streamed performance by LeeLee Oluwatoyosi Eko Davis. Guests also enjoyed an interactive "dance party" where everyone was encouraged to get up, and dance—a truly heartfelt moment for the entire community. The event was hosted by Kate MacDonald (Halifax), founder and co-creator of the Magic Project. 

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY