IDAC was founded in 2001 by a group of Ryerson University dance graduates keen to explore their creative potential and carve a place for themselves in the Canadian dance scene. The collective was first formed to exclusively support the creative work of its members and other emerging artists transitioning into the professional field. In its early years, IDAC provided choreographic and performance opportunities for over 30 emerging dancers and more than a dozen young choreographers.

Since its inception, IDAC has morphed and changed in the course of its development, growing and maturing into its current mandate and structure. While it has maintained its primary goal of supporting the creative interests of its members, in recent years it has adopted a repertoire-based structure that aims to connect artists across generations and forms of practice through the commissioning and presentation of new and celebrated contemporary dance work. The collective commissions and performs work by artists who embody the energy, physicality, and creative curiosity that defines this exceptional company of young dance artists. IDAC provides public access to this repertoire through production and other avenues of presentation. Now in its 7th year, the collective continues to grow and evolve through its members.

In its first year, IDAC worked tirelessly to undertake its founding project – a community-based performance and workshop tour to rural Saskatchewan. In August of 2002, IDAC travelled to several small communities across the province to offer workshops in a range of dance forms to young dance students with extremely limited access or connection to the professional dance milieu. The tour culminated with a performance of our first major production In Motion on August 22nd, 2002 at the Anne Portnuff Theatre in Yorkton, SK.

IDAC’s 2002/03 season included the Toronto debut of In Motion on May 10th, 2003 at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. In Motion featured 16 short, innovative choreographic works by collective members and several guest artists. In August of 2003, IDAC presented 2 newly developed works by CONTACT _Con-4586B10E25C Marjorie Jane Gibbon and Nicole Cassullo at Toronto’s International Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists. Shortly thereafter, IDAC collaborated with Hamilton-based pianist and composer Robert Bruce in the creation of a full-length programme, Bound for the Tenderness of Eden, where dance was used to add a visual element to the music, taking on new energy and impetus. The programme was presented in October of 2003 at the Hamilton Place Studio Theatre. Later that month, Robert and IDAC traveled to Guelph to perform excerpts of this program as well as 3 new collaborative works.

In 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 IDAC appeared as a guest company for several special events and performances throughout the following year including Dance Ontario’s 2004 DanceWeekend, a fundraising event for Ambitious Enterprises, OMO Dance Co.’s 2003 Choreographic Workshop, York University’s graduate showcase Aftermath, the Toronto International Film Festival post-screening gala for The Company, the Art of Excellence awards ceremony at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto’s Arts Week, In a White Room, produced by Off the Ground Productions and TVO’s Distinguished Artists Television Series. In June of 2004, IDAC presented 2 new works-in-progress at On the Verge at Dancemakers Rehearsal Studio, in Toronto’s Historic Distillery District. At the 2005 International Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists, IDAC showcased Melissa Bettio's fast-paced, highly physical quartet Bienvenue, and No Holds Barred - a newly commissioned dance-comedy by Mary Beth MacMillan.

During the 2005/2006 season, the collective undertook another exciting creative project - a new commission by Dora-nominated choreographer and dance artist Heidi Strauss. missing premiered at Dance Ontario’s DanceWeekend, January 22nd, 2006 at Harbourfront’s Premiere Dance Theatre. In the spring of 2006, IDAC embarked on a creative collaboration with dance artist and choreographer Meagan O’Shea to create a new work, which was performed at Series 808 as a work in development, and later as a site-specific work in Park Pieces at Dufferin Grove Park, and at Harbourfront Centre’s Indie Unlimited Festival.

During the 2006/2007 season, the collective put all of its effort into the Dance Works Co-Works Series production of side [a]ffects featuring exciting new works by David Earle, a remount by DA Hoskins entitled The Left Seed, a new rendition of Heidi Strauss’ missing and a full length work by Darryl Tracy entitled plucking wild flowers. Following the success of the production, IDAC has entered a new creative cycle and will be supporting Andrea Spaziani as choreographer for an upcoming creation process.