In 2008, Davida Monk accepted the position of artistic director. At that time, the dance scene in Alberta had begun to diversify and expand greatly and other companies and presenters emerged across the province. So, DSW decided to re-focus its energies and resources to offer a unique, holistic, and diverse range of opportunities instead of focusing predominantly on presenting. Between 2012-2018, Monk established many professional development practices, apprenticeship, and choreographic residency programs which implemented the organization’s new vision.
In 2018, Sasha Ivanochko took over the role of artistic director and focused on increasing artists’ technical competency, deepening their understanding about the theoretical aspects of art-making, and guiding them through the creation of new works. In April of 2019, DSW found their home office at cSPACE King Edward, a hub and space for innovation, that deeply aligns with our values of collaboration, creativity and community.
Now, the current artistic director Rufi Oswaldo (2021 – ) seeks to maintain the momentum of previous leadership and further deepen a sense of community, nuance creative exchange, and make space for a wider diversity of perspectives.