Open Space

Artist at an Open Space workshop

Overview

The National Ballet of Canada’s Open Space programme provides approximately 2,000 hours of free studio space each year at The Walter Carsen Centre to dance artists in Toronto. By sharing the National Ballet’s studios with the local dance community, Open Space aims to support a wide variety of dance genres and disciplines. Dance artists at any place in their career working on movement research, a new creation or further developing an existing work are all encouraged to apply. We encourage applications from IBPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ artists.

The selections are made by an advisory committee made up of the National Ballet’s Artistic Producer, Creative Action Alyssa Martin, Sofi Gudiño, founder of Inamorata Dance Collective and Festival Director of Dusk Dances, and Atri Nundy, Assistant Artistic Director and teacher with Sampradaya Dance Academy. The advisory committee changes each season and, in the past, has included Ashley Colours Perez, Irma Villafuerte, Natasha Powell, Danah 'Legendary Mother Maldita Siriano' Rosales, Esie Mensah, Nova Bhattacharya, Zahra Badua, Kieran Heralall, Alysa Pires, Rodney Diverlus, Hanna Kiel, Kevin A. Ormsby and Anisa Tejpar.

Artists have the option of applying for full days in our studio (approximately eight hours) or half days (approximately four hours). Also, an Open Space bursary will provide successful applicants with $244 for each full day or $122 for each half day spent in the studio.

Details

  • Open Space is available for periods of four to eight days, applicants can can indicate a preference for half days (3.75 hours) or full days (7.5 hours). 
  • The dates often do not follow a typical Monday to Friday schedule
  • The studios will generally be available from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and 3:00 to 7:00 pm on weekends. Half days are divided as 10:00 am – 1:45 pm, and 1:45 pm – 5:30pm on weekdays. 
  • There is a cap of 20 participants per group
  • All participants must sign a waiver and release form
  • We expect that all participants will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Studio Space

  • The studio spaces available for Open Space are those used by the National Ballet for rehearsals and therefore only non-marking footwear is permitted. Due to the sprung floor and vinyl surface, any footwear that creates high impact in a small area (i.e. stiletto heels) is not permitted as it could permanently damage the floor
  • Sound equipment and pianos are available for rehearsal purposes
  • No A/V or large equipment or set pieces permitted in the studios
  • No overnight storage permitted

Application Deadlines

Applications for studio space in November 2026 – January 2027 are due August 21, 2026

Applications for studio space in March 2027 are due November 3, 2026

Applications for studio space in June are due February 16, 2027.

Application Questions

The following questions will be asked when filling out the application. You may also choose to answer the application questions by submitting a spoken video response.