Expanding the possibilities
of performance


SummerWorks Performance Festival
August 1-11, 2024


About Us

Expanding the possibilities of performance
A large group of people sit in a circle in a white room Photographer: Dahlia Katz

SummerWorks is a leader, collaborator, and community builder at the forefront of contemporary performance – asking crucial questions; nurturing artistic innovation; and presenting new works that reflect the complexity and diversity of our society.

Anchored by our annual SummerWorks Performance Festival in August, SummerWorks offers a year-round program of creation, presentation, and learning opportunities for artists and audiences.


Our Values

Creative Risk and Curiosity
We engage with artists, audience, partners, and staff who are inquisitive, willing to experiment and be adventurous. We encourage bold ideas, new directions, and big questions, cultivating space for exploration and innovation.

Care and Collaboration
We carefully consider all the choices we make, understanding that the works we curate, the time we give, who we work with, and spaces we use impact the experiences people have. We prioritize connection and dialogue, as well as community and relationship building. By working with artists and partners to exchange ideas and resources we’re able to multiply our impact.

Diversity and Difference
We celebrate diversity in arts and people, prioritizing inclusive and accessible processes and experiences. We look to introduce professional artists and audiences from diverse communities to each other and to be inspired by our similarities and differences.


LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As an organization that brings together performance nationally and internationally, we wish to acknowledge that SummerWorks takes place on the traditional territory, Tkaronto, “Where the Trees Meet the Water,” “The Gathering Place” of the Mississauga, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat Nations. As we come together we pay our respects to all our relations who have gathered and will continue to gather in this place.