BC Movement Arts Society

Based in Sointula on Malcolm island, the BC Movement Arts Society (BCMAS) brings rural and urban together by presenting professional local, national and international contemporary dance performances, creation residencies to rural areas of BC. Based in Sointula on Malcolm island, the BC Movement Arts Society (BCMAS) brings rural and urban together by presenting professional local, national and international contemporary dance performances, creation residencies to rural areas of British Columbia. BCMAS is one of the few professional dance organizations based in and serving rural and remote under-served communities, and we are honoured to be located within the unceded Kwakwaka’wakw territories of the ‘Namgis, Kwakiutl, and Mamalilikala Nations. Small rural cities and coastal communities are largely deprived of this opportunity and it is very expensive for people living in these areas to travel to large urban centres to see Canadian and international professional dance performances. Our presentation series moving forward will include for each artist/company presented in addition to our home base of Malcolm Island, shows in neighbouring Port McNeill (at the GateHouse Theatre) and the ‘Namgis Nation/Alert Bay (in the Laurence Ambers Memorial Recreation Center). Led by a professional seasoned dance artist, festival director and arts manager
(Mary-Louise Albert) as well as a professional artistic associate (dancer/choreographer Rebecca Margolick), Advisor's (Andrea Cranmer, ‘Namgis cultural teacher and spiritual leader), Annemarie Koch (community leader) and Livona Ellis (programming advisor) and a Board of Directors versed in professional, education, and business operations: (Artemis Gordon, Pamela Rosa, Dr. Michael Margolick, Laurie Rowan and Brenda Jemar).