Welcome to Dance Haven:
A Vision for Newfoundland & Labrador's Dance Community
Neighbourhood Dance Works (NDW) is on a mission to create Dance Haven — a vibrant, purpose-built space where dance artists, enthusiasts, and the wider community can gather, create, and grow. With funding from ACOA and The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, NDW is conducting a feasibility study to explore every possibility. Leading this effort are architect Chris Woodford and cultural facilities consultant Brian Arnott, whose combined expertise will guide the acquisition, renovation, and management of this transformative cultural hub.
Dance Haven will be more than a building. It will be a creative hub for movement, connection, and growth — a space where the future of dance in Newfoundland and Labrador takes shape.
Why Dance Haven?
Newfoundland's dance community urgently needs a professional-grade space. Dance is a vital cultural force, preserving heritage, sparking artistic expression, and fostering community connection. Yet, no such dedicated space currently exists.
Dance Haven will fill this need, offering a centralized space for dancers of all levels — from beginners to professionals — of all ages and abilities, to meet, learn, rehearse, and perform. It will also strengthen ties between Newfoundland’s local dance community and the broader Atlantic arts scene.
What Dance Haven Will Include:
Public dance studios for workshops, rehearsals, and classes.
An intimate performance space for shows and events.
Office and storage facilities for operational support.
Overnight accommodations for visiting artists to enable collaboration.
This initiative will support ongoing dance creation and production, allowing NDW to expand its outreach, training, and community programs.
We Are All Dancers
From toddlers swaying to music to astronauts dancing on the moon, the instinct to move to rhythm is universal. Dance is part of our shared human experience, woven into rites of passage, celebrations, and moments of joy. Whether letting loose at a party or mastering choreography, we are all dancers.
Proven Benefits
Participating in dance offers numerous benefits, including improved physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. It enhances muscle tone, heart and lung health, coordination, balance, and teamwork, while fostering trust, empathy, and cultural preservation. Dance also promotes self-confidence, reduces stress, and supports youth development.
Our Vision for the Future
Imagine a world where Newfoundland’s dance community has a home — where artists gather, ideas spark, and movements inspire. Dance Haven will be that place — a space for dance to flourish.
Neighbourhood Dance Works believes in the power of dance to connect, heal, and inspire. Every step taken moves us all forward.
The Road Forward
We have already begun some preliminary work towards this dream in-house and with our feasibility study team. We hosted a town hall meeting where we discussed this project, and heard our community's thoughts.
It took place on January 22 at 6:30pm at the City Hall Foran Greene Room. For those who could not attend in person, the event streamed lie on Facebook. Where we continue to host the full recording: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/156NzUXD8F/
We will continue to update the public once we have more news.
Let’s build a space that supports, celebrates, and elevates dance in Newfoundland and Labrador—together!
If you wish to give us your thoughts, you may reach out through the form below:
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