At Dance Victoria’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday, November 7, 2021, Board President Susan K.E. Howard, auditor Jas Dusanj, and Executive Producer Stephen White shared the auditors’ report and highlights from the organization’s 24th season in 2020/2021.
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, marked the conclusion of Dance Victoria’s inaugural Virtual Home Season, a program curated due to the COVID-19 provincial health regulations prohibiting gatherings for live performances at the theatre.
Approximately 750 to 875 people viewed each Dance Victoria virtual presentations throughout 2020/2021. The virtual presentation of Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker reached approximately 3,500 people, with several schools and seniors homes watching the presentation in groups. Dance Victoria handled the ticket sales through DanceVictoria.com. Total revenues were $40,000 compared to almost $1 million in a regular pre-COVID season.
COVID-19 restrictions impacted the operations of Dance Victoria Studios, forcing it to close the facility for over two months in 2020; however, since June 2020, there has been a steady increase in the rental of the studios for dance classes and workshops.
Recognizing that independent dance artists were the most seriously impacted by the pandemic, Dance Victoria invested almost $100,000 in commissions and its paid artists-in-residence program, giving support to a dozen artists and artist collectives through the season.
2020 was Dance Days’ twelfth festival. Each fall Dance Victoria reaches out to local studio owners and independent teachers to encourage them to participate in Dance Days by offering free adult classes, workshops, and showings of works-in-progress within a set 10-day period in January. It is a unique event: experiential on one hand (the public is invited to participate in a range of free classes) and performative (studio showings, and in some years, a ticketed presentation). In recent years, Dance Victoria has included showings of works it has supported through its Chrystal Dance Prize, and in 2021, included pieces springing from its residencies program. In addition, working with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Dance Victoria commissioned 10 short dance films, releasing a new film each day during Dance Days. The films were viewed more than 5,300 times. More than 1,700 people from Europe, Asia, South and North America voted to select their favourite video. The festival also included 60 virtual classes, workshops, and on-line screenings.
The Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects was awarded to Ralph Escamillan ($10,000) working with Filipino dancer Raul “Buboy” Raquitico, on a work called Piña that will be developed over a two-year period; as well as awarded to a collaboration between OURO Collective ($30,000) and German-born, LA dancer RubberLegz. Their project, entitled 7y98D is focused on climate change. The Chrystal Dance Prize – Training awarded $12,000 to three dancers in training: Mikaela Kos, Maya Milic and Ashvini Sundaram.
Dance Victoria is grateful for government programs including the Canada Wage Subsidy Program and emergency funding from Canadian Heritage and the BC Arts Council to assist us with getting through the pandemic. Dance Victoria also received significant support from the Victoria Foundation and individual donors.
At the Annual General Meeting, members learned that the Board of Directors and staff have revisited their three-year strategic plan with goals pertaining to financial stability, support for artistic creation, and audience development and diversification. The Board thanked Emily Zeng who stepped down as Treasurer and congratulated her on the recent birth of her baby. Dance Victoria is very grateful for her dedication, support and sound financial advice and analysis. Members elected four new Directors: Maggie Bartold, Julie Robinson, Kayleigh Harrison, and Carrie Smart. Directors of the Board continuing in terms include Colette Baty, Robert Millar, Frances Grunberg, Stacey Horton, and Susan K.E. Howard now in her sixth year.
Fast Facts
Total Audience (all programs): approximately 8,500
Total Budget 2020/21: $ 738,012
Total Budget 2019/20: $1,572,030
Percentage Earned Revenue (Box Office, Studio Rentals, Advertising) 21%
Private Sector Fundraising (Donations, Sponsorships, Foundations) 29%
Public Sector (Federal, Provincial, CRD Arts) 50%
2020/21 Programs
Total virtual performances 8
Free Dance Days events 60 + free film contest showcasing 10 new films
Full Time Staff 4
Contract Staff 4
Newly Elected Board Member Bios
Maggie Bartold
Maggie is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a former CFL cheerleader, and a dance enthusiast. She is currently a Director of Finance at Sedna Wind Technologies, focused on acquiring and investing in companies providing products or services to the offshore wind industry. Maggie is passionate about clean energy and the importance for the planet to achieve the net zero emissions by 2050 initiative. Previously, Maggie was a Manager in the Audit and Assurance practice at KPMG, providing assurance services to publicly traded and privately held organizations. In addition to the CPA designation, Maggie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Professional Accounting degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Maggie developed an interest in dance from early days, performing in numerous dance shows and cheerleading competitions. Although her professional career is in finance and accounting, Maggie continues to enjoy dance performances as an audience member.
Maggie is excited for the opportunity to contribute to Dance Victoria on the Board of Directors.
Carrie Smart
Carrie Smart is an architect with Cascadia Architects. Her work centres around designing public spaces and community-oriented projects. She is passionate about sustainable communities, designing active public spaces for all ages, equity, diversity, and active transportation. She has lived in Greater Victoria for 25 years, is a University of Victoria Alumnus, and is an active volunteer in the community. Dance classes have been a nurturing aspect of her daily life from a young age, and she continues to dance in her spare time. She is a mother of two school aged children involved in local dance programs at the Victoria Academy of Ballet and Oak Bay High School.
Her volunteer work includes the role of BC Chapter Chair of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), Chair of the RAIC Victoria Network and volunteer member of BEA West (Building Equality in Architecture).
Carrie is grateful to have the opportunity to support Dance Victoria on the Board of Directors with her passion for both dance and community.
Julie Robinson
Julie Robinson is a Chartered Accountant, currently working as Senior Manager in the KPMG Assurance and Sustainability Practice. She has provided public accounting services across various industries, with core sectors including not-for-profit organizations and advanced education on Vancouver Island. Julie holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Glasgow. It was during this time that Julie’s interest in the arts began through attending live performances. She is excited to bring her skills and passion to her new position and contribute to the success of Dance Victoria.
Kayleigh Harrison
Kayleigh is a writer, consultant, and creative professional who runs Fanfare Consulting & Services Inc. – a boutique consultancy specializing in communicating complex topics in approachable, engaging ways. Kayleigh is a non-practicing lawyer, holds an MBA, and was originally an opera singer; now, she combines those unusual backgrounds to help her clients tell their unique stories, serve their audiences, and communicate even the trickiest material. Aside from her time as a performer, her background includes experience in non-profit management, law, board and stakeholder relations, as well as corporate communication. Originally from Saskatoon, Kayleigh and her husband have called the West Coast home for more than a decade. She has served on the boards of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the Emily Carr String Quartet and is passionate about the power of community service through board membership. Most of all, Kayleigh is a devoted advocate for the fine arts, including dance, and is excited for the opportunity to support Dance Victoria.
About Dance Victoria
Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and your home and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from its studios in Quadra Village. Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society. DanceVictoria.com
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