February 11, 2014 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) is mourning the loss of Grant Strate, a seminal figure in the Canadian dance community. The NAC has lowered its flag to honour his contribution to the arts in Canada.

Strate joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1951, and later served as its first resident choreographer. He also worked closely with Artistic Director Celia Franca, and helped to bring the beautiful full-length production of Romeo and Juliet to the National Ballet. The production became one of the company’s signature works for half a century.

A dancer, choreographer and educator, Strate founded the Dance Department at York University in 1970. During the 1970s Strate attracted international dance luminaries as guest faculty, launched a series of national choreographic seminars to develop emerging talent and helped found the Dance in Canada Association, the country’s first service and advocacy organization for dance.

Strate moved to Vancouver in 1980 to work for the Centre for the Arts at Simon Fraser University. He retired as a professor emeritus in 1994. He was an active member of the Vancouver dance community, serving on many boards, including the founding board of the Scotiabank Dance Centre.

His many awards and honours include the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement.