Cathy Levy's Tenure as NAC Dance Executive Producer to End December 31, 2022
Exceptional Artistic Leader Has Had Enormous Influence on Dance in Canada
The National Arts Centre (NAC) today announced that Cathy Levy has chosen to end her tenure as Executive Producer of NAC Dance on December 31, 2022. Ms. Levy will program the 2022–2023 and 2023-2024 Dance seasons, and she will stay on in a temporary position until Spring 2023 to oversee the completion of select dance projects.
“Cathy has had an enormous influence on dance in Canada,” said Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the NAC. “During her more than 20 outstanding years at the NAC, she has programmed a diversity of exceptional artists from across Canada and around the world, building a strong audience who trusts her programming choices while putting the NAC on the map internationally. She has used her leadership position to support the development of numerous artists and companies. She leaves a remarkable artistic legacy that will be felt for years to come.”
More information about the process to find a successor for Ms. Levy will be available in the coming weeks on the NAC website and other communications platforms.
“AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE AND HONOUR”
“It has been an incredible privilege and honour to hold this position for the last two decades, and to work each day with a fantastic team to support dance artists from Canada and abroad,” said Cathy Levy. “Dance has been in my life since an early age, both because of a mother who loved the arts, and a visionary creative movement teacher. Dance has led me to amazing opportunities, and it has also brought me so much joy and inspiration. I am proud of all the programming we’ve presented from across the globe to expose the breadth of what dance can offer, as well as the many related activities we’ve developed to enhance the dance experience for a range of curious and eager audiences. My passion for this art form will stay with me always, and I look forward to cheering on a new producer of NAC Dance in the years to come.”
CATHY LEVY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
Since joining the National Arts Centre in 2000 at the invitation of former NAC CEO Peter Herrndorf, Cathy Levy has championed countless Canadian and international artists, bringing their works to the forefront. She has invited numerous international and Canadian dance companies to perform on the NAC’s three stages including the iconic Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, as well as the Mariinsky Ballet (The Kirov), Crystal Pite/Kidd Pivot, Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Bangarra, to name but a few. Under her leadership, NAC Dance contributed to more than 100 co-productions with mostly Canadian and select international dance artists. She has supported emerging voices and established companies, has mentored artists and producers, and has participated in the national and international dance milieu through advisories and boards. In 2019, she was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her contribution to dance in Canada.
Other programming highlights of Cathy Levy’s NAC Dance tenure (so far) include special presentations of Akram Khan Company, the Bolshoi Ballet, Dancers of Damelahamid, and the series Face2Face which concentrated on thematic tendencies in dance, including a focus on African voices. She conceived and created, alongside NAC Orchestra Music Director Alexander Shelley, the landmark NAC commission ENCOUNT3RS, which paired three Canadian choreographers with three Canadian composers. The resulting three one-act ballets, each performed to a brand-new orchestral score, received their world premiere at the NAC in April 2017. This significant initiative was in celebration of Canada 150 and is a major legacy project for the artists, companies and the NAC.
Ms. Levy was also the Producer for the Golden Jubilee Gala honouring Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada, held at Roy Thomson Hall on October 10, 2002, and for An Evening Celebrating the Works of Canadian Artists hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales on April 30, 2001.
She also programmed an Homage to Jean-Pierre Perreault (May 2004), the Dutch Dance Focus (May 2005), Peggy Jarrell Kaplan photo exhibit (2006), Homage to Marie Chouinard (2008), La La La Human Steps exhibit (2011), Aleksandar Antonijevic photo exhibit (2012) and The Legacy of Hope Foundation's 100 Years of Loss (2016)
In pandemic times, Ms Levy supported the dance world through innovative digital partnerships such as #Danceforth and Digidance, CAPSULE, Dancing for Joy, Free Rein, Lantern Festival, New Monuments, TESSEL, Vancouver’s NEXT series, and a host of co-productions. She has also launched a number of ancillary programs including the Youth Commission for Dance, Youth Focus Group, Associate Dance Artists and Visiting Dance Artists. More details.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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Carl Martin
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