The Dance Centre
The Dance Centre is a Vancouver-based non-profit (founded 1986) that operates BC's flagship purpose-built 32,000 sq ft dance facility, providing studio and theatre rentals, artist residencies, performances, and community outreach to professional dance artists, 40+ resident companies, and the broader public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Dance Centre does
The Dance Centre is a registered Canadian non-profit society (legal name: VDC Dance Centre Society) founded in 1986, operating British Columbia's flagship purpose-built dance facility at 677 Davie Street in downtown Vancouver. The 32,000-square-foot Arthur Erickson-designed building, which opened in 2001 and was brought under freehold ownership in April 2026 via a $6 million land purchase, contains six custom-designed studios, a 154-seat black box theatre (Faris Family Studio), boardroom, offices, and support spaces. The organization functions as a sector infrastructure provider, serving professional dance artists at all career stages, more than 40 resident dance companies and organizations, community audiences, and national/international dance presenters.
Its core product surface is a multi-sided platform: physical space rentals (studios, theatre, boardroom, offices, special events), artist development programs (Artist-in-Residence, Dancelab, 12 Minutes Max, Rising Together, Associate Artists, workshops), presentation and festival programming (Global Dance Connections series, biennial Dance In Vancouver festival, 12 Minutes Max showings), community outreach (Power of Dance, Discover Dance! for Schools, immigrant and refugee youth, seniors), recognition (Lola and Isadora Awards), and sector utilities (BC Dance Calendar, BC Dance Directory). Technology is functional infrastructure rather than software: purpose-built physical plant plus standard digital channels (website, bi-weekly newsletter, social, podcast, RSS).
Revenue mechanics are a hybrid non-profit model blending earned income (memberships, space rentals at presumably market rates, ticket sales in the $25-$65 range with sliding scale and youth/student/senior discounts) with diversified fundraising across government (Government of Canada, Province of BC, City of Vancouver, Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council), foundations, corporate sponsors (Corporate Leader's Circle), and individual donors (Choreographer's Circle, monthly, legacy, endowments). The 11-50 person staff is led by Executive Director Mirna Zagar with a board chaired by Selim Hasan.
The Dance Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Dance Centre
- Legal name
- VDC Dance Centre Society
- Website
- https://thedancecentre.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Dance Centre is a Vancouver-based non-profit (founded 1986) that operates BC's flagship purpose-built 32,000 sq ft dance facility, providing studio and theatre rentals, artist residencies, performances, and community outreach to professional dance artists, 40+ resident companies, and the broader public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Dance Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Cultural Facility Services
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Dance Companies (711120), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance Performances (THAJAFAD), Dancers, Choreographers & Dance Troupes Booking (HSACAHAD), Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI)
Keywords
Where The Dance Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Dance Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership program providing dance artists access to programs, affordable studio space, resources, and subsidies. Members receive discounts on rentals and can apply for substantial subsidies.
- Space Rentals: Rental of six studios, boardroom, black box theatre, and performance spaces for rehearsals, classes, workshops, performances, and special events.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from performances and events ticketing, with ticket prices ranging from $25-$59 for various events.
- Donations and Fundraising: Donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundations. Programs include Choreographer's Circle, Corporate Leader's Circle, Monthly Giving, Legacy Giving, and Endowments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Performance Tickets |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sliding Scale Tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Leader's Circle Sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Performance Tickets - Lamondance |
| Subscription | Annual | Series Subscriptions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Dance Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Dance Centre operates a purpose-built 32,000 sq ft dance facility in downtown Vancouver providing studio, theatre, boardroom, and office space rentals to dance companies and artists. It complements these physical infrastructure rentals with artist development programs (residencies, Dancelab, workshops), performance programming (Global Dance Connections series, Dance In Vancouver Festival), community outreach (Power of Dance), industry recognition (Lola and Isadora Awards), and a membership program offering access to subsidized studio space and resources.
Product overview
The Dance Centre operates as a purpose-built dance facility and resource centre, offering a platform of interconnected services. The core offering includes studio, theatre, boardroom, and office space rentals (the physical infrastructure), complemented by artist development programs (Artist-in-Residence, Dancelab, Associate Artists, Dance Workshops), presentation programs (Global Dance Connections Series, Dance In Vancouver Festival, 12 Minutes Max), community engagement (Power of Dance outreach, BC Dance Calendar, BC Dance Directory), and recognition (Lola Award, Isadora Award). The membership program provides access to all these offerings with discounts and subsidies. The 32,000 sq. ft. facility at 677 Davie Street in Vancouver houses six studios, a 154-seat theatre, and support spaces.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dance Studio Rentals Rental of six custom-designed dance studios for rehearsals, classes, workshops, and special events. Members receive discounts and can apply for substantial subsidies. For dance artists, companies, and organizations.
- Theatre Rentals Rental of the 154-seat Faris Family Studio black box theatre and production space for performances and special events. For dance companies, choreographers, and event organizers.
- Boardroom Rentals Rental of boardroom space within the facility for meetings, board meetings, and small gatherings by dance organizations and arts groups.
- Office Space Rentals Office space rental within The Dance Centre facility for dance organizations and resident artists requiring administrative space.
- Special Event Rentals Rental of The Dance Centre's facilities for special events including galas, launches, receptions, and corporate functions.
- Membership Program Annual membership providing dance professionals access to programs, affordable studio space, resources, discounts on rentals, and ability to apply for substantial subsidies. Open to professionals working in all dance forms at every career stage.
- Artist-in-Residence Program Residency program providing studio and theatre space for choreographers to develop and create new works, with support for research, production, and presentation. For professional dance artists and choreographers.
- Dancelab Research lab program supporting experimental dance development and creative exploration by dance artists.
- 12 Minutes Max Program fostering experimentation and development of new dance works through studio showings with critical feedback and community dialogue, scheduled through multiple sessions per season.
- Global Dance Connections Series Performance series featuring dance works by artists from across Canada, presenting world premieres and acclaimed contemporary dance. Subscription packages offer up to 30% savings on single ticket prices.
- Dance In Vancouver Festival Biennial international dance festival drawing presenters from across the globe, showcasing Canadian and international dance works and offering curated access for national and international programmers.
- Power of Dance Community outreach program including Immigrant and Refugee Youth Program, Discover Dance! for Schools, Elementary School Program, High School Program, and Seniors programming, expanding access to dance education.
- Dance Workshops Professional development workshops for dance artists at various career stages, offered as part of ongoing programming.
- Associate Artists Program Program recognizing and supporting established dance artists with ongoing affiliation, resources, and curatorial support at The Dance Centre.
- Rising Together Program supporting dance artists and collaborative projects, focused on community building among artists.
- BC Dance Calendar Online community calendar listing dance performances, events, classes, workshops, and auditions across British Columbia, with member submission capability.
- BC Dance Directory Directory of dance organizations, companies, and artists in British Columbia, maintained as a community resource by The Dance Centre.
- Lola Award Biennial $10,000 award to encourage work of mid-career and senior choreographers, supported by the Lola McLaughlin Endowment Fund with the Vancouver Foundation.
- Isadora Award Annual award recognizing achievements of BC dance professionals; recipient receives a specially-designed award by Mary Filer, studio/theatre space up to $4,000 value, and $1,000 cash.
Companies that use The Dance Centre
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Dance Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
The Dance Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- The Dance FoundationcoreSister society that co-fundraised for the $6 million land purchase. Now moving into next phase fundraising for essential building upgrades ($1.5 million already raised).
- PuSh International Performing Arts FestivalmajorCo-presenter of The Brutal Joy by Justine A. Chambers and Catching Up to the Future of Our Past by Plastic Orchid Factory.
- National Arts Centre (Ottawa)majorCo-producer of MY HOUSE by FakeKnot alongside Urban Ink and Queer Arts Festival.
- Music on MainmajorCo-presenter of WAIL by Action at a Distance / Vanessa Goodman.
- Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF)majorCo-presenter of Show Gone by Ame Henderson Projects + Provincija.
- Kalāvāṇī InstituteminorPartner organization supporting Ānanda Arangetram performance by Triya Tessa Ramburn.
- Vancouver Tagore SocietyminorPartner organization supporting Ānanda Arangetram performance.
- Urban InkmajorCo-producer of MY HOUSE alongside National Arts Centre and Queer Arts Festival.
- Queer Arts FestivalmajorCo-producer of MY HOUSE alongside National Arts Centre and Urban Ink.
- IATSE Local 118coreThe Dance Centre is an IATSE 118 Union house, with venue staff covered under collective agreement.
- The Polygon GallerymajorCollaboration partner with Dance//Novella for Emerging Artist Program providing mentorship, creation support, and performance opportunities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Dance Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Dance Centre social profiles
Digital presenceThe Dance Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Dance Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
The Dance Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Dance Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Dance Centre
What does The Dance Centre do?
The Dance Centre operates a purpose-built 32,000 sq ft dance facility in downtown Vancouver providing studio, theatre, boardroom, and office space rentals to dance companies and artists. It complements these physical infrastructure rentals with artist development programs (residencies, Dancelab, workshops), performance programming (Global Dance Connections series, Dance In Vancouver Festival), community outreach (Power of Dance), industry recognition (Lola and Isadora Awards), and a membership program offering access to subsidized studio space and resources.
Is The Dance Centre a public or private company?
The Dance Centre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Dance Centre founded?
The Dance Centre was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Dance Centre based?
The Dance Centre is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Dance Centre make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are space Rentals, ticket Sales and donations and Fundraising.
Does The Dance Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Dance Centre.
What industry is The Dance Centre in?
The Dance Centre's product category is Arts and Cultural Facility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAJ, Dance Festivals & Dance Series, with a secondary code of THAJAFAD, Dance Performances. Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7997.