Supporting artists also requires providing them with the means to create.

Early on, Agora committed to offering support in the form of research and creation residencies that enable choreographers to create in the performance space, adapt their works to the venue, and explore new avenues. Agora and the artists are thus united around a common ambition: to advance contemporary dance and anchor it ever more deeply in the community.

In addition to residencies, Agora actively engages in creation by providing financial support to artists, positioning itself as one of Canada’s largest co-producers in dance. Since its inception, it has hosted more than 500 productions, the majority of which are from Quebec, as well as Canadian and international works. To date, more than $1.4 million has been invested in co-productions to support the realization of nearly 200 shows.

Funding is a crucial issue and Agora’s response is to foster strong ties with the business community. Thanks to the generosity of patrons, individuals and companies, a creative fund came into being under the impetus of Florence Junca-Adenot, chair of the board of directors and initiator of the project for over 23 years.

Whether you are young or old, in schools or in the theatre, we come to you!

Agora de la danse has long been building strong ties between audiences and contemporary dance. Whether through public activities behind the scenes, in classrooms, or even in virtual reality, the Agora offers many ways to interact with artists.

Every year, more than 6,000 primary and secondary school students are introduced to contemporary dance through our outreach activities.

Did you know?

he Agora de la danse is the first organization offering a series of dance performances for young audiences.

Since 1995, Agora has been spreading dance from one continent to another. Through a long series of international exchanges in France, Belgium, Spain and Italy (among others), these workshops, residencies and performances bring artistic practices together and encourage an intercultural dialogue around contemporary dance.

In addition, its collaboration with several Quebec and Canadian institutions—La Rotonde, the National Arts Centre, the Vancouver Dance Centre, CanDance, etc.—has also stimulated national exposure for artists.

A virtual reality experience in contemporary dance.

Three works by choreographers Andréa Peña, Margie Gillis and Hélène Blackburn are being adapted for virtual reality. Thanks to the magic of a virtual reality headset, KOROS offers audiences a whole new way to experience dance.

KOROS has been presented in New York, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Brussels, and several cities in Quebec! The project continues to develop with an audience eager for new discoveries.

An initiative conceived, produced, and distributed by Agora de la danse.

An educational interactive game from the Agora de la danse.

Intended for young people aged 8 to 13, this first interactively educational dance website raises young people’s awareness of creativity in a playful way. The free experience is open to everyone and has attracted more than 3,000 users since it came online!

An important social dimension.

In 2008, Agora de la danse collaborated with Sabrina Lemeltier, director of La Dauphinelle, a shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence, lawyer Amélie Dionne-Charest, and the Montréal-Danse dance company to launch a one-of-a-kind project in Quebec: Dance Against Violence.

Since 2009, women who have experienced traumatic events have been benefiting from workshops where dance plays an essential role in their journey towards greater well-being. Over the years, other shelters have joined the initiative, and DAV remains committed to its mission under the guidance of Montréal Danse.

Agora de la danse is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within and around the Montreal community.