Sustainable Development Policy

Preamble

Convinced that artists and cultural workers are positive agents of change for ecological transition, Agora de la danse is pleased to now have a policy designed to stimulate sustainable development actions and know-how. It thereby hopes to inspire the members of its staff, its guest artists, its cultural partners and ordinary citizens to adopt eco-responsible behaviours in order to reduce negative impacts on the environment and to acknowledge the contribution of the cultural sector in this important transition.

Mission

For close to 35 years, the heart of our mission has been to support the creation of new contemporary dance works and to be a crucial hub bringing together new works, artists and audiences.

Dance is an art form that contributes to sustainable development, creating social links and bringing citizens to connect with a primal force – the body.

Our mission therefore takes on even deeper meaning in the current context.

Vision

Agora de la danse focuses on the powerful elements of social cohesion, the affirmation of Quebec culture and the expansion of cultural awareness, more specifically the living art of dance. Its program of activities and performances reflects the different languages of the body, attuning a diverse audience to the importance of creativity and open-mindedness in an ever-changing world. With its promotion of culture and its support for artists by means of versatile artistic residencies (choreographic and technical research), Agora cultivates equitable, long-lasting relationships that help consolidate the careers of artists and cultural workers.

Values

The values guiding our actions are:

• Creativity, an important force for change in the transition currently underway;
• Equity, one of the principles at the heart of sustainable development;
• Hospitality, providing a warm and respectful welcome for audiences and artists, a gesture of openness to others;
• A rigorous approach that emphasizes artistic excellence and a distinctive spectator experience.

Application

This initial policy applies to all Agora de la danse activities. It is aimed primarily at staff
members, administrators, volunteers, artists and audiences. It also seeks to engage other stakeholders. (governments, suppliers) in an extensive collective effort toward eco-responsibility. It will be revised every two years.

Objective

The 2024-2028 Agora sustainable development policy strives first and foremost to better understand the multiple ramifications of sustainable development, and in particular to highlight its cultural dimension. It deploys a strong vision of sustainability throughout our organization, reaching out to audiences and the cultural community. It promotes a commitment to eco-responsibility, which will have an impact on the entire performing arts community. By formalizing eco-responsible measures already in place and by planning new actions to be taken, we seek to reduce negative impacts on the environment and increase the positive impacts of Agora de la danse in cultural, economic and social spheres.

Agora de la danse’s strategy is deployed along the following lines.

Culture

Promote cultural expression, choreographic creativity as drivers of Quebec eco-citizenship.

• Protect and promote the cultural richness of dance by presenting a wide range of new creations, mostly from Quebec, presented by dance companies and artists committed to a long-term approach.
• Support artists, including emerging artists, with artist residencies that encourage research and creation under eco-responsible conditions.
• Promote access to dance and to culture for all citizens of Greater Montreal, including young audiences, in association with partners from different milieux.
• Cultivate encounters and the sharing of knowledge among audiences, artists and their works by means of audience development initiatives.
• Improve equity and inclusion by reaching out to more vulnerable audiences, as well as artists from diverse backgrounds and from Indigenous communities.
• Promote use of the French language in all our activities.
• Promote equity in the attribution of projects and in the selection of artists and companies presented.c

Social commitment

Reinforce the social commitment of staff members, artists and audiences so that they become agents of change in ecological transition efforts.

• Contribute to bringing salaries in the cultural sector up to par so as to close the long-standing gap compared to other sectors of activity, thereby ensuring the sustainability of culture in Quebec.
• Ensure a work environment that fosters the personal growth and development of staff members and guest artists.
• Implement organizational practices that encourage the development of staff members’ skills.
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion of diverse audiences and artists.

Environment

Adopt and promote eco-responsible behaviours with a view to reducing negative impacts on the environment.

• Adopt and promote eco-responsible behaviours with a view to reducing negative impacts on the environment.
• Promote eco-responsible practices and raise awareness among stakeholders as regards to purchasing, managing and consuming resources and organizing our activities and events.
• Improve waste management in our various spheres of activity (administration, welcoming artists and audiences).
• Work together with the other co-owners of the Wilder Espace danse to establish mechanisms for assessing water consumption, waste management and greenhouse gas emissions, and set initial targets for their reduction throughout the venue.

Governance

Participate in innovative joint initiatives aimed at the ongoing improvement of our eco-responsible practices.

• Promote our vision of sustainable development throughout our various programs, activities and operating methods.
• Initiate and maintain collaborative sustainable development leadership among all owners of the Wilder Espace danse.
• Encourage joint efforts, cooperation and partnership so as to reach our objectives of reducing negative impacts on the environment in the cultural sector.
• Ensure coordination when purchasing major equipment, working with the different partners so that decisions are inclusive and eco-responsible.
• Ensure coordination when purchasing major equipment, working with the different partners so that decisions are inclusive and eco-responsible.
• Survey stakeholders in order to define the challenges and issues of sustainable development 2040.