About

Dance Canvas’ mission is to provide opportunities and venues to increase the awareness of professional dance throughout the Southeast. Our vision is to become the premier ground for the “next generation” of dance makers, while finding interactive ways of making dance more relatable to the general public. With a commitment to provide the highest level of artistic quality, Dance Canvas successfully accomplishes its mission through three major programs of service: Choreographer Career Development, Youth Outreach, and Audience Development.

Since 2008, Dance Canvas has presented seven acclaimed choreographers’ showcases at The Woodruff Arts Center’s 14th Street Playhouse and the Rialto Center for the Arts. In the eight years since its inception, Dance Canvas has premiered 62 new works by 56 emerging professional choreographers, presented over 200 professional dancers, performed for 10,000 Atlanta audiences, and worked hands-on with 1,000+ Atlanta area students through our outreach efforts and youth programs. Dance Canvas’ youth programs DC NEXT and DC INTERNS serve as a springboard for students to learn, develop, and polish their skills in the business, production, and creative aspects of the dance profession. The DC NEXT curriculum has been implemented by both the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs & Department of Recreation, as well as recording artist Usher’s New Look Foundation. DC INTERNS works in partnership with Kennesaw State University. In addition, each season is full with free public performances, community festivals, youth summits, and collaborations, with organizations such as the Rialto Center for the Arts, National Black Arts Festival and Atlantic Station, to give back to the Atlanta community.