Founded by Nova Bhattacharya in 2008, Nova Dance brings new ideas to dance, re-inventing the possibilities of the art. The company breaks down conventions and encourages new talent with the best and most exciting in performance the world over. Nova Dance works with artists from many art forms and a multitude of backgrounds to create a community that celebrates the life-force of dance in our lives.

Nova Dance exists to bring contemporary Canadian dance towards a new future. Embracing diversity as creative inspiration for a body of work that has garnered awards, national and international recognition, and most importantly made connections with audiences and communities.

The company presents critically acclaimed works and arts events, creating a context for a diversity of dance artists to take space with their art. Equity is in the DNA of Nova Dance, and the belief that bringing differences together leads to greater things. The company is dedicated to creating meaningful points of intersection for dance and audiences; supporting artists; and celebrating the role of the arts in a vital society.

Nova Dance has initiated a wide range of projects to nurture the growth of artists, and create community enrichment programming:

Studio Series The Studio Series provides emerging artists with the opportunity to share their work in progress, and dialogue with an audience.

Creation Labs Creation Labs feature artists from a variety of dance backgrounds and techniques, such as Bharatnatyam, western contemporary, ballet and modern, and develops this pool of talent into valuable interpreters in creation. Creation Labs also serve as a catalyst for Indian classical dancers to work in a contemporary aesthetic, in a professional, freelance dance context.

The Deep End Weekend Inspired by Nova Dance’s Creation Labs, this two day event combines stimulating conversations and joyous surprising collaborations, bringing together multi-generational and multi-disciplinary artists to share their experiences on art and life. Participants then collaborate and create a ‘Season in a Day’, and present a free evening performance of their work to the public. Of utmost importance is having artists from the margins view their art as a vital and essential part of contemporary Canadian society, and providing the opportunity to create new works with artists from a diverse range of practices and backgrounds.

Date with Dance A one-on-one dance date and primer for novice audiences with Nova Bhattacharya. Intended for the curious sort, who love learning about new things, Bhattacharya traces her journey from Bharatnatyam to contemporary dance, with solo performances, humorous narration, and an audience Q and A along the way.

Discover Dance A free, all-ages, lunch hour series, where audiences are introduced to incredible dance artists living and working in Toronto. Discover Dance is an hour packed with dance and conversation. Audiences have the opportunity to see dance, share their thoughts, hear stories, ask questions, and discover how dance forms from near and far are being woven together in Toronto’s cultural scene.

Paid Internships Since 2011, Nova Dance has been offering paid, self-directed internships to dancers, choreographers and emerging artists, providing opportunities for studio work, professional career development, curated performance experiences, networking, and participation in projects directly with Nova Bhattacharya. Nova Dance understands how difficult it can be for artists trained in Indian classical dance forms to find role models and mentors, and believes it has a responsibility to provide such support.

In 2017 Nova Dance became the first dance company to be invited into a long-term relationship with Toronto’s contemporary arts hub, The Theatre Centre. Through this partnership the company has presented a current and feminist context for rituals centering the arts in our daily lives and our connection to Mother Earth. Other community partners include TO Live and Citadel + Compagnie.

Nova Dance’s work has been presented from coast to coast in Canada, as well as in Germany, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and Uganda.

Recognized for reimagining and redefining Canadian contemporary dance; Nova Dance transports audiences to a place of wonderment with work that ranges from solos to ensembles and collaborative creations.

Celebrating and challenging the art form of dance with daring, thought-provoking creations, Nova Dance holds our histories while reflecting the present; and dreams the future with dance.