Cheshire Dance has partnered with a  group of highly respected venues and dance promoters in the North West to bring about a new model for dance talent development in the region.  As part of a simple 5 point Dance North West NOW Action Plan (below), the group are now fundraising to kick start actions 1 and 2 to develop unique and bespoke opportunities for North West based dance makers to create new work for stage and get it seen by audiences around the country.

Members include: Blackpool Grand, Bluecoat, Cheshire Dance (Chair), Co. Chameleon, Contact, Culture Liverpool, Culture Warrington, hÅb, Lancaster Arts, Lowry, Storyhouse, Unity Theatre.

In time the group will expand its membership in support of artists but also act as a means for touring dance work from across the country to be seen by their audiences in the North West, with new audiences turning their attention to dance on the back of place-based campaigns (action 4).  Whilst we also aim to broaden the partnership base to roll out the model into outdoor, rural touring and digital contexts (action 5), the talent development support won’t stop there.  Action 3 includes support for artists’ CPD, self-care and for those who specialise in creative health, learning and education work to develop practice, partnerships, careers and business models.   

Ultimately this new talent development model for North West Dance will create step change and be available for others to build alongside.  Together, we’ll bring about widespread social and artistic outcomes and new economic realities that will see the North West strengthen England’s and UK’s dance sector but also its touring, creative health and education sectors.

Adam Holloway, Director of Cheshire Dance said:  “We’ve recognised that by working together we can achieve far more than any organisation can alone. This partnership creates practical opportunities for dance artists across the North West – from making new work and touring nationally and internationally to developing exemplary engagement programmes and sustainable careers. At a time when the dance sector faces significant challenges, collaboration isn’t optional, it’s essential. We’re building on the expertise and commitment that already exists across the region to create stronger conditions for artists, freelancers and companies to thrive.”

Eva Martinez, Associate Programmer for Dance at Lowry, said: “Lowry is fully committed to supporting the DNW NOW Action Plan and the collective ambition behind it. By working together across the North West and strengthening the dance infrastructure across the region, we can create stronger opportunities for artists, develop new audiences for dance and build a more connected, collaborative and sustainable future for the sector.” 

Cheshire Dance is inviting artists, organisations, funders and partners to use the Action Plan as a framework for collaboration, and to help shape the next phase of dance development in the North West. Those wishing to follow the initiative can sign up to the ‘Dance in the North West, by Cheshire Dance‘ mailing list for future updates.