Working within Cheshire Dance as Partnerships Director of DCNW, Paul Smith operates across the Consortia and beyond to foster artist development, audience development and encourage partner and stakeholder investment in regional dance infrastructure.

A cultural consultant with a specialism for strategy, policy, performance and business models, Paul joined Cheshire Dance in 2020 following his time at Liverpool Biennial as the Executive Director. Previously to this, he worked with Arts & Business, Grand Opera House, Prime Cut Productions, Belfast Waterfront Hall, Alliance Party NI, Festival Dance, Belfast Festival… amongst other notable organisations.

As Partnerships Director of DCNW, Paul drives the Consortia members to identify and deliver collective actions that produce change, which is greater than the artists and individual organisations could produce by themselves.  Through Dance Consortia North West, he looks to grow the quality and range of dance entering, generated in and emanating from the region, nurturing regional talent, enabling artistic ambition, production and presentation and developing audiences, engagement and sector knowledge.

Paul is particularly skilled in building and maintaining relationships with governments, local authorities, funders, supporters and communities of interest locally, nationally and internationally, and strives to develop strong, action-oriented relationships between art, audiences, stakeholders and communities.

About DCNW:

The Consortia is a partnership of dance development organisations, venues, companies, independent artists and HE institutions that have co-authored its purpose, ambition and values and has secured Arts Council England investment. Established 4 years ago, it operates through a range of working groups intent on championing dance and inspiring audiences, artists and professionals of today and tomorrow.