[NEWS] Dumfries & Galloway Dance launch new vision
/After its initial pilot and evaluation, Dumfries and Galloway Dance is launching its new strategic vision and a number of funded opportunities for the dance sector today (Thursday 10 September) to support the career development of young dancers in the Scottish county and creating an exciting region-wide platform for dance in Scotland.
Funded by Creative Scotland and The Holywood Trust with support from Dance Base Scotland and led and managed by Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre, the initiative’s aims are fourfold;
To develop a Young Dancers Leadership Programme
To create a region wide Youth Dance Company
To grow a community that comes together to watch live dance; and
To create a venue based touring network
The long-term vision of Dumfries and Galloway Dance is to create a progression route for dancers interested in pursuing a professional career in dance and enable the growth of dance audiences across the region in association with regional venues.
The initiative is notable in Scotland for its aim to promote Dumfries and Galloway as a collaborative, inclusive and dynamic home for dancers, dance professionals and dance audiences. This launch marks a key moment in a 10-year vision that looks to respond to and nourish creative life in the region.
Gretna born and based, Emma Jayne Park, choreographer, dancer and founder of Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre began devising the initiative after experiencing the rich dance sector already in existence, but noticing the need to better connect the region to dance opportunities nationally and internationally and showcase what Dumfries and Galloway has to offer dancers and dance makers.
Following consultations with local practitioners, venues and youth organisations, Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre sought support and significant funding from Creative Scotland and The Holywood Trust to establish Dumfries and Galloway Dance with four initial pillars of activity in this coming year;
Dance Watch Parties
From 1 October Dumfries and Galloway Dance will be running monthly online watch parties, showcasing short pieces of contemporary dance while growing a community that comes together to watch dance across the region.
Selected by a panel of independent dance experts, Dumfries and Galloway Dance will support 36 artists/companies over the next 12 months to share dance that has been specifically made for screen, online to audiences across Dumfries and Galloway.
Young Dancers Leadership Programme (Dance Advocates)
A 12-month paid development programme for local leaders aged 20-25 who are interested in pursuing careers in the performing arts.
The programme will explore progression routes into the arts sector, helping young leaders to advance into further training or pursue their own creative work. Dance Advocates will receive one to one mentoring and monthly teaching sessions to support them to develop their artistic interests and explore other careers in the performing arts.
DnG Youth Dance Company
Starting online due to COVID-19 restrictions, the dance company will meet monthly to move, learn and develop new dance work. When possible, the group will meet in person, with sessions held in a rotation of venues around Dumfries and Galloway.
Taster sessions will be held online on 26 and 27 September. Sign up information can be found on www.dumfriesandgalloway.dance.
Touring Consortia
Venues from across the region will form a touring consortia, covering the geographic spread of Dumfries and Galloway. A call-out will be made, offering 8 two-week funded tours across the region, fully produced by Dumfries & Galloway Dance. The touring programme will be selected by an independent panel of dance experts. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the consortia will liaise closely to assess the ability, practicalities and safety of live touring across the region.
Speaking on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Dance, Emma Jayne Park (Founder of Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre):
“The world of dance is multi-faceted and offers space for people with lots of different interests to engage or work in the sector. I didn’t grow up thinking dance was for me but it really is and I want that to be an option for people in my home region. For communities to reap the benefits of having dance in their locality we all need opportunities to engage in different ways - as watchers, performers, participants, critics, producers and a range of other roles: a whole ecosystem. We need time to build trust and experiment together. This is the aim of Dumfries and Galloway Dance, it’s an invitation. I hope people take it.”
Speaking on behalf of The Holywood Trust, Karen Ward Boyd (Director):
“High quality contemporary dance supports creative development and personal expression as well as health and wellbeing. The Holywood Trust recognises that opportunities for contemporary dance across Dumfries and Galloway are limited for our young people in comparison to urban areas. The Dumfries and Galloway Dance project has the potential to significantly change this by developing and supporting young people at different levels and stages of their journeys in dance. It will support those interested in pursuing a creative career in the dance sector as well as those wanting to develop it as a recreational interest.”
Speaking on behalf of Creative Scotland, Paul Burns (Head of Dance):
“Creative Scotland is really pleased to be supporting the launch of Dumfries and Galloway Dance. Scotland has a rich and varied dance scene, with people of all ages taking part in dance classes every day in every corner of the country, and dance artists and companies making extraordinary shows that inspire audiences both here and across the world. Dumfries and Galloway Dance is a fantastic project that will put Dumfries and Galloway centre stage by both developing the talents of young dancers in the area, and bring some of the country’s best dance companies to Dumfries and Galloway.”
Speaking on behalf of Dance Base, Matt Roe (General Manager):
“Dance Base Scotland is delighted to see Dumfries and Galloway Dance expand its reach to bring dance to even more young people across the region. We are proud to support Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre in delivering this exciting work.”
All call-outs, fees, events and opportunities will be posted on www.dumfriesandgalloway.dance.