ABOUT DCD
Dance Collection Danse (DCD) is the national, Toronto-based, non-profit charitable corporation dedicated to Canadian dance history. We have achieved a world-wide reputation as a pioneer in the collection, preservation and dissemination of Canadian dance legacies. We collect dance-related material as represented by text-based documents, moving and still images, 3-dimensional objects, and other artifacts and memorabilia.
We maintain the personal and business records of dance artists including choreographic notes, correspondence, films, house programs, videotapes, audiotapes, photographs, props, sets, costumes, and other memorabilia. We receive archival material as donations from arts professionals and the general public. We share our unique resources through public and virtual exhibits, workshops, publications and performance.
35 YEARS
DCD celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021. As the guardian of our Country’s largest theatrical dance collection, DCD exists for the purposes of research, education and celebration of the history of the dance arts in Canada. It is the only organization in Canada with this mandate. DCD is multi-dimensional and encompasses: a museum, archives, resource centre and publishing house.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Preservation, research, animation, education and publication ‒ emanate from our expansive collection of dance-related materials dating from the late-19th century to current day. Artists and organizations across the country have entrusted their treasured archives to us so that worldwide and for all time, Canadian dance history can be uncovered, understood and celebrated.
WHAT WE DO
Through its research facility, publishing projects, virtual and live exhibits, film screenings, public talks, workshops and educational opportunities for youth, DCD’s collection is continually shared. For more details about our collection and organization, please visit the website at dcd.ca.
THE BEGINNING
In 1983, under the banner ENCORE! ENCORE!, Lawrence and Miriam Adams launched an historic project to reconstruct and preserve choreographies created by Canadian dance artists working in the 1940s and 1950s.
Works from six Canadian choreographers were chosen based on existing records and the availability of the original choreographer and/or dancers. It was the first such project to acknowledge the foundation of dance history in Canada.
The project culminated with the launch of the Encore! Dance Hall of Fame at which nine inductees were honoured at a gala event held at Casa Loma in Toronto… a long-overdue recognition of founding pioneers in Canadian dance history. There has to date been no other organization that has recognized the legacies of Canada’s dance artists.
Assuming the enormous task of uncovering Canada’s fleeting theatrical dance story, as well as recognizing the importance of disseminating this information, DCD, with the assistance of the Laidlaw Foundation, began the task of interviewing dance pioneers as well as gathering documentation of their choreography. DCD is committed to the ongoing process of preserving works of artists through documentation so that the bank of work for future reference and performance continues to grow.
MEDIA AND NEWS
Hamilton Spectator: Frank Augustyn with Karen Kain. Together they sold seats, even to people who didn’t care about ballet, Gary Smith writes 
Broadway World: Marie Chouinard Inducted into Dance Collection Danse’s Hall of Fame 
About Town With Jody Glaser – Dance Collection Dance Hall of Fame 
Pancouver: Founders of Goh Ballet Academy inducted into 2024 Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame 
Lethbridge Herald: Grant Strate watches during a rehearsal at the National Ballet of Canada in the 1960s 
Toronto Star: Frank Augustyn partnered Karen Kain, among other greats. Now, the dance legend is getting his due with a new honour 
The Georgia Straight: Vancouver butoh dancers Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi to be inducted into Canadian dance hall of fame 
Alberta Native News: Powwow Dancer Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane Inducted Into The Canadian Dance Hall Of Fame 
The Gateway: Lifelong dancer Peggy Baker’s unrelenting pursuit of self-discovery 
CBC: Evelyn Hart to be inducted into Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame 
Turn Out Radio (CIUT): Interview with 2021 inductee, tap dance legend Ethel Bruneau 
The Suburban: Margie Gillis to be inducted into The Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame 
Globe & Mail: Miriam Adams resurrects the Dance Hall of Fame. 
Turn Out Radio (CIUT): DCD Hall of Fame celebration: With Rhodnie Désir and Alejandro Ronceria 
The Northern View: Northern B.C. Indigenous couple inducted into Dance Hall of Fame 
CTV news Channel: Former Prima Ballerina, Veronica Tennant joins CTV to discuss her upcoming induction to the Dance Hall of Fame. 
Nuvo Magazine: Canadian dancers earn recognition. 
Classical 96.3 fm: Micah Barnes chats up “The Encore! Dance Hall of Fame” with Mike & Jean 
The Dance Current: Dance Collection Danse brings back the Encore! Dance Hall of Fame
LAUNCH COMMITTEE
Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame (formerly the Encore! Dance Hall of Fame) was designed with the guidance of a launch committee of digital, arts and event industry leaders and will be facilitated by staff at DCD and the launch committee:
- Chair: Tess Mclean / Honorary Chair: Veronica Tennant, C.C.
- Nicole Rose Bond: Dance Artist
- Amy Bowring: Director of Collections and Research, DCD
- Tess McLean: Communications and Media, Waddington’s
- Jane Spooner: DCD Board Member, Micon International Limited
- Zoe Kenneally: Dancer
- Judith Slivinski: Marketing, Development Officer, World Vision Canada
- Anisa Tejpar: Dancer, Choreographer, Event Producer
Director of Development and Producer/ Hall of Fame: Vickie Fagan
