Arts Development Consultant - Arts Education

Jodie Vandekerkhove has a rich background in dance, shaped by years of professional performance, academic research, and arts education. She earned a BFA from Simon Fraser University and an MA from the University of Alberta, where her graduate research focused on ethical approaches to beginner ballet instruction. This work was published as At The Barre: Ethical Training for Beginner Ballet Class, featured in The Evolving Feminine Ballet Body (Markula & Clark, Eds., University of Alberta Press, 2018).

Jodie began her dance training in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and later performed professionally across Canada. She collaborated with a range of choreographers and companies, including Jen Mesch Dance Conspiracy, KO Dance Project, Heidi Bunting, and Mile Zero Dance. Her work in the field also included a presentation at TEDx Garneau Women.

Before joining the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Jodie taught dance for over 20 years at both Concordia University of Edmonton and the University of Alberta. She was committed to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments, celebrating the diverse abilities and movement styles of her students. She remains passionate about supporting Alberta's artists in navigating the grant process and promoting equitable access to artistic opportunities.