New COVID Commissions are just one of the ways the Dancing on the Edge festival plans to reimagine itself from July 2 to 11.

The fest has announced it's decided not to cancel the annual summer event, but to reimagine it with curated digital performances, online classes, and possibly small-scale shows that adhere to social-distancing measures. (Provincial health authorities are still banning gatherings of over 50 people.)

The 32nd edition of the contemporary-dance event was to have included more than 35 performances by artists from as far away as India and the U.S.

The five commission projects invite dance artists to submit proposals for works that will be granted $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the project. (Watch here for more info and further programming announcements about the fest.)

The new works will be premiered at the 2021 Dancing on the Edge. "We are thrilled to be offering this incentive, in the hopes that these commissions will enable artists to keep creating new work, during this difficult time for all. Now more than ever we need our artists and we need to keep moving so the EDGE is working to support and encourage both,” said festival producer Donna Spencer in the announcement.