This programme incorporates creative, folk and contemporary dance, providing choreographers and performers with an arena for their creative works, expression and interpretation.

The preservation and survival of many of Jamaica’s traditional dances have been accredited to the efforts of the JCDC over the past three decades, through its training workshops and cadre of experienced resource persons.

The Annual national Festival of the Performing Arts 2004 Competition presented over one thousand (1,000) dance entries of which 90% were group pieces.

SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR 2005
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission in collaboration with HEART NTA – SKILLS JAMAICA Programme will run a special 2-Day dance workshop in each region.

These workshops will :

• focus on Thematic Content specifically for different age groups and how to use the Jamaican Folk vocabulary and themes to create works for the category of modern contemporary dance
• sensitise teachers and leaders in choosing themes that is within the experience of the children socially, educationally and culturally.
• encourage choreographers to approach their choreography in the area of modern contemporary with a view to creating modern contemporary works which speak to the aesthetic sensibilities of the Jamaican people.
• help the performers especially those entering the skills Jamaica competition to lift their performance standards.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Dance will also stage a number of SPECIAL EXPOSITIONS, these have as their major objectives :

• To encourage the creation of dance ballads about Jamaican Stories, Legends, Icon Music and Dance Forms.
• To create works that speak to the Jamaican cultural experience for presentation at national events and international festivals.

EXPOSITIONS

I. WORLD REGGAE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

The aim of this competition is to provide exposure to young adults who are skilled in the area. It is hoped that the exposure gained will increase their chances for employment in the growing dance market for video production and advertising both locally and internationally.

II. INSPIRATIONAL WORKS

An umbrella Dance programme to pull together the best in dance from church groups or any other persons who want to create and present dance with a spiritual or gospel connection especially those who specialize in liturgical dance.

This programme would facilitate the growing number of church and community groups with an interest in this area but are a little uncomfortable with some other areas of the dance competition

III. OUR HERITAGE IN DANCE EXPOSITION

Only chorographers with a high level of training and expertise will be allowed to participate in this area. A twelve to fifteen minutes ballet based or any of the following areas: Jamaican legends, folk tales, historical narrative and tribute to any national hero or folk hero.