The Dance Alchemy project began in 2015. It was hosted by the Victoria Arts Council and facilitated by Joanne Cuffe.
In 2016, four artists collaborated with four community dance groups, with dancers who experience disability, dancers who are older adults, and dancers who are newcomers. The groups came together for a Celebration in June 2016 to share their new works as well as mingle during a dance party. The first year was a pilot project, with funding from the BC Arts Council and partner organizations:
Glenshiel Housing Society, Wellspring Support, Garth Homer Society, the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, and MediaNet. The artists who collaborated in 2016 were Lori Hamar, Kirk Schwartz, Tiffany Tjosvold and Joanne Cuffe.
The project received excellent feedback from participants and the initiative has influenced other projects that have emerged in subsequent years.
If you would like to volunteer with current projects, please be in touch with Joanne.