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About The Chimera Project
Under the artistic direction of choreographer/dancer Malgorzata Nowacka, The Chimera Project is a renowned contemporary dance company that is committed to building new audiences for contemporary dance by creating works that resonate with audiences through compelling themes and intense raw physicality.
In creating work that explodes with high-octane physicality, ferocious technique and dark gritty themes, Nowacka's choreographic works are immersive and exciting journeys that assault the senses; they have repeatedly garnered her accolades, including one of the Top Ten Performances of the Year by Canada's The Globe and Mail and in Toronto's NOW Magazine.
The Chimera Project presents an annual season in its home community of Toronto, and tours throughout Ontario and afield to BC and into the US, giving workshops and creation residencies. The company works with a core group of seven dancers and has a touring repertoire of 3 full length works, choreographed by Malgorzata Nowacka.
The Chimera Project has created for Canada's most prestigious contemporary dance events and national presenters, including Canada Dance Festival, Ottawa; Dancing on the Edge Festival, Vancouver; OFF-Festival Trans-Ameriques, Montreal; DanceWorks Mainstage Series, Toronto; Next Steps, Toronto, Dance Victoria, Victoria and most recently Ballet Jörgen Canada and Ballet Jörgen Canada's Junior Company, Toronto.
The company's educational activity includes supporting new generation choreographers through its annual FRESH BLOOD festival in Toronto; launching a new youth company The Chimera Project's Company B in partnership with Ballet Jörgen Canada and George Brown College; community projects in Toronto's priority neighbourhoods and throughout Ontario; and creation and workshops for dance students, including George Brown Dance, McMaster University's Centre for Dance, Mayfield Secondary School, creation for students in the Theatre Dance program at Ryerson University and Ohio University, Ohio.
Company Activity
- Creation presented through live performance in theatres and on film.
- Production of The Chimera Project's repertoire created by choreographer Malgorzata Nowacka in Toronto and beyond, and presentation of works by Canadian choreographers.
- Education of youth through inspiring and empowering workshops and performances; adults through access and opportunities to understand and explore the artistic process and vision; communities through long-term Arts Learning projects; new-generation Canadian choreographers through mentoring and workshops.
Selected Commissioning and Presenting Partners
Ballet Jorgen Canada (Toronto, ON) 2009, 2010Canada Dance Festival (Ottawa, ON) 2006, 2010
Capitol Centre (North Bay, ON) 2009, 2010
CINARS (Montreal, QC) 2008
Cheryl Ewing (Kitchener / Waterloo, ON) 2008
Crimson Coast -Dance Society (Nanaimo, BC) 2008
DanceWorks Co-Works (Toronto, ON) 2001, 2008
DanceWorks Mainstage (Toronto, ON) 2003, 2006
Dancing on the Edge Festival (Vancouver, BC) 2005, 2010
Dance Ontario (Toronto, ON) 2005
Dance Victoria (Victoria, BC) 2007
Festival Transameriques, OFF (Montreal, QC) 2008
fFIDA Gala (Toronto, ON) 2004
Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival (Guelph, ON)2010
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, ON) 2010, 2012
Harbourfront's Next Steps Series (Toronto, ON) 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
Moving Pictures Festival (Toronto, ON) 2002
Ohio University (Athens, USA) 2009
Toronto Artist's Awards (Toronto, ON) 2004
Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series (Sioux, ON) 2012
Studio 303 (Montreal, QC) 2002
Young Center for the Performing Arts (Toronto, ON) 2009
Grants and Awards
Bravo!FACT, Film 2005, 2007, 2010Canada Council for the Arts, Flying Squad 2009
Canada Council for the Arts, Travel Grant 2007
Canada Council for the Arts, Creation 2001
Canada Council for the Arts, Production 2003
Canada Council for the Arts, Research 2010
Chalmer's Foundation Award 2005
Laidlaw Foundation, Creation 2002, 2003, 2005
Metcalf Foundation, Strategic Initiatives 2008, 2009, 2010
Ontario Arts Council, Artists in the Community 2008
Ontario Arts Council, Artists in Education 2005, 2010, 2011
Ontario Arts Council, Arts Education Projects 2007
Ontario Arts Council, Compass 2005, 2010
Toronto Arts Council, Community Projects 2009
Ontario Arts Council, Dance Initiatives 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2006
Ontario Arts Council, Operational Funding since 2008
Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Touring 2009
Ontario Arts Council, National / International Touring 2009
Ontario Arts Council, Ontario-Quebec Collaborations 2007
Paula Citron fFIDA Award 2001
Toronto Arts Council, Creation 2004, 2005, 2007
Toronto Arts Council, Operational Funding since 2011
Toronto Arts Council, Production 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006,
Toronto Emerging Artist Award 2003
Trillium Foundation 2010
