Dancing Towards Diversity: How Scotiabank Dance Centre Transformed British Columbia’s Dance Scene

Step into Scotiabank Dance Centre and you’ll feel the energy pulsating from every corner. The sound of tap shoes against hardwood, the forceful breath of contemporary dance, the rhythmic beat of Indian classical dance—it’s a hub for dance in Vancouver.

Today this vibrant creative centre is renowned as one of Canada’s flagship dance facilities, with connections across the globe. It stands as a testament to a transformation that has taken place in the dance community.

It all began in the 1970s, when a group of B.C. visionaries recognized that dance was critically underserved in the province. They set their sights on creating a home for dance, a mission spearheaded by The Dance Centre – the leading resource centre for dance in B.C. Scotiabank came on board as a supporter, providing the ground lease for a former bank branch in downtown Vancouver. The Dance Centre and its sister society, the Dance Foundation, raised $12.5 million, and the facility opened in 2001 with its inaugural dedication by Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson.

Designed by Canadian architectural icon Arthur Erickson, it was unique in North America at the time, as a purpose-built facility designed to provide a home for a diverse community— a model which has since been emulated elsewhere. Today, every genre of dance takes place within the studios, from ballet and contemporary to ballroom, tap, classical Indian, Highland, flamenco, belly dance, hip hop, and beyond.

With over 87,000 visits annually, Scotiabank Dance Centre is more than just a building. It’s a catalyst of change for the community, a place where people of all ages, abilities, professions, and backgrounds can come together through dance. It provides high-quality studio space, but it’s also a nurturing environment that supports the creative potential of dance artists. It strongly focuses on supporting professional dance artists, who are frequently under-resourced and face high rents in one of Canada’s most expensive cities.

The impact of Scotiabank Dance Centre extends far beyond Vancouver. It’s nationally recognized and an established participant in a cultural network connecting B.C. to organizations worldwide, facilitating national and international cultural exchanges.

And it’s not just professionals who benefit—The Dance Centre’s extensive programming includes the Power of Dance series, offering workshops for seniors, elementary and secondary school students, and immigrant and refugee youth.

This spring offers many opportunities to experience dance, from the popular Discover Dance! noon hour series to the acclaimed Dutch choreographer Arno Schuitemaker, Canadian tap star Danny Nielsen, and The Dance Centre’s annual partnership with Matriarchs Uprising Festival, highlighting the work of Indigenous female artists.

“Dance is transformational,” says The Dance Centre’s Executive Director Mirna Zagar. “It embodies confidence, stimulates innovation, and builds a sense of belonging and contribution. Dance is for everyone!”