The Board of Dancemakers announces that it will not be extending Michael Trent’s term as Artistic Director beyond July 31, 2014. The board has decided to accelerate the implementation of the company’s exciting new direction – the Incubation Production House model – by replacing the role of Artistic Director with the role of curator sooner than planned. The Board wishes to thank Trent for his eight-year tenure, which has been marked by defining moments in the life of the company.
 
The Incubation Production House (IPH) model’s curator role will implement the vision and mandate of the company by making connections between the resident artists’ work, the professional community and the public the company serves. Three resident artists will be invited to make work for the company over staggered three-year terms. The IPH model is an opportunity for Dancemakers to build upon past successes and the strong foundation Trent has created.
 
As Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Trent has created new ways of experiencing movement, the body and sound. His most acclaimed productions, It’s About Time: 60 dances in 60 minutes, The Adaptation Project, loveloss and Around, have been seen in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and throughout Ontario.  Additionally, he created, remounted and commissioned 16 works from local, national and international choreographers. Trent introduced the role of dramaturge to the company’s creative process. Under his direction, the Centre for Creation supported the development of the field with programs including researchLAB, residencies and Dancemakers Presents. The Emerging Dance Artist Project (EDAP) provided training, creation and performance opportunities for many young artists beginning to make an impact on the field.
 
Among Trent’s many accomplishments was his role in brokering a relationship between the company and Dance Collection Danse, Canada’s leading dance archival and preservation organization. “As we come to the end of our 40th anniversary season, I am thrilled to know that Dancemakers’ significant contribution to dance in Toronto, Canada and beyond will be maintained and preserved for generations to come,” says Trent.
 
The Board is extremely grateful to Trent for his dedication and stewardship of Dancemakers and looks forward to working with him on future projects.