Shara Weaver
Gatineau,Canada
Summary
Mad, neurodiverse, and pansexual dance artist with 20+ years of national leadership in Dance and Disability arts. Co-founder and former Artistic/Executive Director of Propeller Dance, acclaimed for accessible creation, performance, and education. Respected for directing, mentoring, and advocacy, with superior skills in community building and partnership development. Passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, and advancing trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and anti-sanist practices.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative & Communications Coordinator
Canadian Accessibility Institute
Ottawa, Canada
08.2024 - Current
- Lead operations for the Pan-Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) aligned with strategic goals.
- Coordinate four Communities of Practice; manage agendas, working groups, and project delivery.
- Maintain communications (newsletters, MS Teams, database) for 140+ partner organizations.
- Organize national forums; represent CAN at public events.
- Grant writing and in-kind contribution strategies.
Artistic Associate
Propeller Dance
Ottawa, Canada
01.2023 - Current
- Lead outreach performances/workshops; mentor emerging artists.
- Lead donor campaigns and grant submissions during leadership transition.
Co-Founder / Executive & Artistic Co-Director
Propeller Dance
Ottawa, Canada
01.2007 - 01.2023
- Directed artistic programming for dance and disability organization, creating high-quality performances and inclusive training sessions.
- Produced full-length productions, site-specific performances, and national tours to enhance organizational visibility.
- Established Pan-Canadian Dance and Disability Digital Network, facilitating forums and intensives with National Arts Centre.
- Crafted multi-year strategic plans while managing complex budgets to ensure organizational sustainability.
- Developed inaugural Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility framework to enhance organizational practices.
- Secured significant operational and project funding from governmental, corporate, and private sectors.
Education
Strategic Leadership Certificate -
Banff Centre
01.2008
DanceAbility Teacher Certification -
Alito Alessi
USA01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Co-Op
University of Guelph
Guelph01-1997
Skills
- Creative and strategic vision
- Artistic programming
- Non-profit management
- Project management
- Community engagement
- Mentorship development
- Team leadership
- Board development
- Partnership building
- Fundraising strategies
- Financial oversight
- Artist mentorship
Awards Honours
- Arts Educator Award, Ottawa Arts Network, 2024
- Canada Council Digital Literacy Fund, Top award for Disability, Dance & Digital Network, 2021
- Diamond Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada, 2012
- Ontario Great Grants Award, Ontario Trillium Foundation, 2012
- Telus Innovation Award, Leadership in Disability Arts
Performance Highlights
- Signature works: Frame of Mind, Circuit, Deliverables, US, Ebb and Flow, Dances for Joy (NAC commission).
- Presentations: Harbourfront Centre, Pan-Am Paralympic Games, National Arts Centre, Great Canadian Theatre Company, National Gallery of Canada, Vertigo Theatre Calgary, Studio 303 Montreal.
- Co-produced major productions: Roar, Shedding Light, In the Pink, Attitude, Propeller Avenue, Egress my Love, Splash, The Reality Show, Lift, Cross Over.
- Director/choreographer of CIRCUIT (film) by Ed Hanley with DRUMHAND.
- Performer with Cobra du Mandingue, DRUMHAND, and Rake Star.
Teaching Outreach
- Led an extensive dance series with The Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa -culminating in professional presentation at the Ottawa Art Gallery and Great Canadian Theatre Company. Workshops for the Schizophrenia Society of Ottawa, CHEO, Royal Ottawa Hospital, and community arts groups across Canada.
- Delivered teacher training in Ottawa and Calgary.
- Certified DanceAbility teacher since 2005; taught children, youth, adults recreational classes.
- Mentored disabled choreographers and educators.
- MASC Artist - delivering inclusive dance workshops in schools and communities individually and with Propeller Dance.
Presentations Committees
- Presenter, University of Washington; Council on Research in Dance
- Member, Ontario Arts Council Deaf and Disability Advisory Committee, 3 years
- Member, Dominion-Chalmers Accessibility Committee, Carleton University
Timeline
Administrative & Communications Coordinator
Canadian Accessibility Institute
08.2024 - Current
Artistic Associate
Propeller Dance
01.2023 - Current
Co-Founder / Executive & Artistic Co-Director
Propeller Dance
01.2007 - 01.2023
Strategic Leadership Certificate -
Banff Centre
DanceAbility Teacher Certification -
Alito Alessi
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Co-Op
University of Guelph
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