Studio 303 supports artists engaged in critical and experimental practices in dance and interdisciplinary performance.
Vision
A flourishing performance ecosystem that stimulates and sustains artists whose experimental practices enrich society in improbable and visionary ways.
Values
— Centering artists. Centering the needs of off-center creators, we are joyfully responsive to the artists we serve, who are not only our clientele but our collaborators in creation of an inclusive and welcoming performance ecology.
— Seeking the strange. We are in cahoots with artists who may seem unconventional or unexpected for their transgression or challenge of boundaries—boundaries of discipline, identity, methodology, and more.
— Interrogating ourselves. We embrace questioning our own motives and institutional power, striving to be self-reflective and transparent, rather than self-serving.
— Thriving with care. We value our relationships over transactions, and seek to spread this ethos within the systems we are a part of.
Activities
We support and activate:
— Artistic practice – Professional workshops and residencies
— Career development – In-house services, online resources, equity initiatives, and by connecting artists and presenters.
— A creative community – Gatherings, shows, and open-level classes.
How we work
Our structure follows a holistic vision, where each activity feeds another. Artists often move through various roles: teaching one year, being a resident the next, taking workshops etc. This fosters continuity for returning artists with whom we nurture a long-term relationship, while also providing various entry points for those who wish to join the 303 community.
Programming – As a space dedicated to experimental performance, we embrace working with artists who escape definition and seek alternative models of artistic creation. Each season’s artists (residency, presenting and teaching) are programmed by invitation or by open call (with selection committees composed of associate artists and members of the 303 team). The majority of international artists come to Studio 303 through partnerships with other organisations.
Engagement – Our role within the performing arts community has evolved over the years, in parallel with the changes in the milieu. Today we are more than ever committed to feminist, queer, anti-oppressive and anti-racist philosophies. We work behind the scenes, through dialogue and partnership, to contribute to a healthier professional environment that promotes equity and transparency. We continuously reimagine creation and networking processes, in order to help artists find their place within the performance ecosystem while respecting their identity and vision.
Team – Studio 303 has 5 to 6 permanent staff, working an average of 26 hours per week, including two director positions. We operate with a gentle hierarchy, tending towards horizontality. The Board of Directors is composed of 8 to 10 members, at least half of whom are independent artists. Our Board acts as an outside eye (with multiple perspectives), which supports and challenges the codirection while ensuring that Studio 303 adheres to legal and ethical standards.
Land Acknowledgement — Studio 303 is situated on land that has been a site of meeting, exchange, and creativity for many Indigenous peoples, including the Kanien’kehá and Anishinaabeg Nations, for millennia. We recognize and respect the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. This land was never ceded to the European settlers who colonized it. As guests on this land, we acknowledge the past and present contributions of Indigenous peoples. We honor their continued presence and contributions to this land and commit to working in solidarity with Indigenous communities. We invite you to join us in recognizing the importance of this land to the Indigenous peoples who live here today, as well as to their ancestors.