Posted by Dance Arts Institute
Dance Arts Institute | 80 Winchester St, Toronto, ON M4X 1B2
Dance Arts Institute invites applications for the position of Artistic Director.
For nearly six decades, our institution has played a formative role in shaping Canada’s dance ecology. Founded in 1968 as the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and reimagined as Dance Arts Institute in 2022, our history is reflected in generations of influential artists, performers, choreographers, educators, and cultural leaders whose work has transformed dance in Canada and beyond.
Today, we are writing our next chapter.
Dance Arts is a conservatory-style professional training institution dedicated to artistic and educational excellence. Independent in structure and charitable in purpose, we are uniquely positioned to define our own vision, respond to the needs of the field, and cultivate meaningful relationships with artists and communities locally, nationally, and internationally. To steward the organization through our next phase of growth, we are seeking an Artistic Director who is inspired by the responsibility of educating artists as much as by creating art. This leader is someone who believes that rigorous training, collaborative practice, critical inquiry, and generosity of spirit are essential to the future of dance and performance. The Artistic Director position is an opportunity not simply to lead a program, but to help shape the next era of one of Canada’s enduring dance institutions and continue a legacy of innovation, adaptation, and vision.
About the Role
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director provides both the artistic and educational leadership of Dance Arts, working collaboratively with staff, faculty, students, guest artists, alumni, and the broader dance community to advance the organization’s mission and mandate. The Artistic Director stewards a culture rooted in artistic excellence, collaboration, reciprocity, trust, transparency, accountability, and equity while supporting an environment where students are challenged but supported, and inspired to become thoughtful, adaptable, and highly skilled dance artists.
Initially offered as a permanent part-time position with the intention of expanding to full-time in 2027-28, this role represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the Institute.
Key Responsibilities
The Artistic Director:
- Provides inspiring and collaborative artistic leadership for the organization and its educational programs.
- Leads the ongoing development and implementation of the artistic and curricular vision for the professional training program.
- Fosters a culture of rigorous technical training, creative practice, interpretive excellence, and collaborative ensemble work.
- Supports students in their artistic growth through mentorship and engagement with faculty and guest artists.
- Recruits, supports, supervises, and evaluates faculty, guest artists, and accompanists.
- Oversees artistic programming, production planning, and the overall student performance experience.
- Builds and sustains meaningful relationships with artists, companies, presenters, educational institutions, and community partners.
- Collaborates with the Board and staff on strategic planning, institutional development, fundraising, and organizational priorities.
- Contributes to grant development and supports advocacy for the organization’s mission and future.
- Serves as an articulate ambassador for Dance Arts within the Canadian cultural sector and beyond.
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will bring:
- A distinguished record as a professional dance artist and educator.
- Significant artistic leadership experience and a collaborative leadership style.
- Deep knowledge of dance pedagogy and conservatory-style professional training.
- Experience within post-secondary and/or advanced professional dance education.
- A demonstrated commitment to artistic and educational excellence.
- An understanding of curriculum development and the cultivation of responsive learning environments.
- Strong administrative and organizational capabilities, including experience managing people and resources.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships across diverse communities.
- Experience supporting grant development, partnerships, or institutional growth is considered an asset.
- Bilingualism is an asset.
Our search prioritizes demonstrated excellence, experience, and leadership within the profession. Conservatory training and substantial professional experience as both an artist and educator are highly valued.
Compensation
For 2026-27, the position is part-time with a salary range of $35,000-$40,000 annually, commensurate with experience, with the intention of expanding to a full-time position in 2027-28 with an anticipated salary range of $65,000-$80,000 annually and a competitive benefits package.
Joining Dance Arts Institute
We believe that exceptional dance education emerges through curiosity, discipline, generosity, and collaboration. We seek an Artistic Director who can honour a remarkable legacy while helping shape a future that is artistically ambitious, intellectually engaged, and deeply connected to the evolving realities of contemporary dance practice. We welcome applications from artists and educators whose experiences and perspectives will strengthen our learning community and contribute to the continued evolution of Dance Arts Institute.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Deadline to apply: Friday, July 31st, 2026, 11:59pm EST
Please include a C.V. and cover letter articulating your experience and why you are an ideal candidate for this leadership role. Submissions can be sent to board@danceartsinstitute.ca under the subject line: APPLICATION – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.
Dance Arts Institute is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and individuals from other equity-deserving groups. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable hiring practices and to reducing barriers to participation in our recruitment process. Accommodations are available upon request at any stage of the hiring process. This position is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
We thank all applicants for their interest in Dance Arts; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.