Advocacy

The CDA’s primary service is advocacy on behalf of the dance sector. As a result, the CDA works hard to connect with and listen to the dance community at every opportunity. The CDA's Advocacy services include:

• briefs
• toolkits
• info-graphics
• Advocacy Alerts
• consultations
• strategy development
• negotiations
• government relations

With these services, the CDA helps to reduce the administrative burden placed on arts organizations by the government (for example, the International Mobility Program is now a much better streamlined process for dance companies). CDA’s advocacy work has helped increase available funding, but has also made the everyday administration of dance quicker and easier, thereby making time for dancers and dance companies across the country. 

CDA’s work in arts promotion is supported by an Advocacy Committee of member representatives from across the country on sector-wide issues.

Executive Director Kate Cornell is the Chair of the Canadian Arts Coalition, a national collective of arts organizations that engage MPs at various times throughout the year. Notably, the CDA works collaboratively with the Canadian Arts Coalition, the Performing Arts Alliance and other community partners, to achieve shared goals. The Canadian Dance Assembly also works with a Pluralism Committee to undertake and address the needs of dance artists from diverse backgrounds regarding access while raising the profile of said dance artists. 

If you have an issue that you want the CDA to advocate on, please consider taking out a membership.  Please refer to the Strategic Guidelines for how CDA conducts its advocacy work. If you believe passionately in the need for dance advocacy, please consider volunteering for CDA’s Advocacy Committee.