Swindon Dance has developed a programme of development opportunities, workshops, connections and information services designed to support professional dance artists in the long term.
Our programme has evolved in response to artists' needs and the developing provision of other — regional and national — training and artist development schemes. We are always looking for the best ways to support artists in making their best work.
ALL ARTIST DEVELOPMENT ENQUIRIES
TEL +44 (0)1793 601700
10am-6pm Monday to Friday
artistdevelopment@swindondance.org.uk
The idea of the programme is to offer ways of moving from graduate to independent artist — either as performer or choreographer — in various contexts. A significant number of participants go on to become Swindon Dance
associated or
associate artists.
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OUR CURRENT PARTNERS
We work in creative collaboration with local and national agencies to help create a professional development map suitable for artists both at the start and midway in their careers. Current partners include ...
CURRENT PROJECTS
ALPHA + BETA ASSOCIATES
WITH ICIA, UNIVERSITY OF BATH
BURSARY
WITH INDEPENDENT DANCE
SW DANCE FOR CAMERA STRATEGY
WITH DANCE SOUTH WEST
DANCE MAKERS + THEIR WORK
DANSLABS 
The DansLab scheme provides studio time for creative play in order to encourage dancemakers to research and develop their work. There are two programmes ...
SUMMER DANSLAB
A small selected group of choreographers work for one week with a guest choreographer, who provides class, tasks, feedback and studio-sharings to generate process-led solo material. Candidates are sought by advertisement.
DANSLABS
Week-long R&D awards are offered to artists with ideas they wish to explore in the studio with collaborators. Space, an honorarium and a studio-showing with facilitated feedback are offered. Applications open in February each year for summer dates.
ALPHA ASSOCIATES
SCHEME
An annual awards scheme run in partnership with ICIA, University of Bath. Three awards are made each year. Each includes creative studio time, a mentor, a business skills workshop and support.
Applications for 2008/9
DOWNLOADS
Alpha Associates flyer ... Word doc (128k)
The deadline for applications was 8th September, and the scheme runs from December 2008 to April 2009.
See also
associate artists 
A bi-annual award scheme run in partnership with ICIA, University of Bath. One award is made to a choreographer who has already demonstrated creative talent and who would benefit from a sustained context in which to research and develop a new work. The award includes a bursary, creative studio time in Swindon and Bath, artistic mentoring and support from Swindon Dance and ICIA staff. Candidates are sought by advertisement. To register interest email
artistdevelopment@swindondance.org.uk.
In 2008 Swindon Dance established a support group for company artistic directors or the artistic directors of ongoing projects. A mixture of talks, leadership skills workshops and peer support is being facilitated.
To register interest email
artistdevelopment@swindondance.org.uk.
A bursary is offered annually to an experienced dance artist for the development of their practice through participating in a creative process led by others, and then the sharing of this process with other artists through Swindon Dance's continuing professional development programme. The current holder of the bursary is Jane Mason, an independent dance artist. Her bursary allows her to participate in the Deborah Hay Mature Performance Group commission, which is a Swindon Dance partnership project with Independent Dance.
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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Short one- or two-day workshops led by choreographers who share their way of working. Designed for dance artists interested in making work for performance. Each DanceMakers session includes class, workshop and dialogue. Up to three are scheduled through the year.
Occasional workshops for dance artists in the essential skills needed to sustain freelance work. Advice can be given on which other agencies provide relevant business skills training.
RECESS INTENSIVES
Down-time workshops for dancemakers and performers, led by a professional dancer. Held three times a year: at Easter, in summer and in winter. For 2009, the Winter Recess will be held in February (see at right).
Help is at hand for those starting their career or new to the region for help finding their way round the dance world. Each autumn a career advice workshop is held.
Log your interest with
artistdevelopment@swindondance.org.uk.
At other times of the year see ONE-TO-ONE ADVICE SESSIONS (below).
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INFORMATION, ADVICE + GUIDANCE
Artists can book individual advice sessions to discuss their careers, projects and plans. Confidential expert advice is provided by Swindon Dance Associate Consultant, Sue Davies. Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month. To book, contact the box office on +44 (0)1793 601700.
Join our elist to receive information about forthcoming artist professional development events at Swindon Dance, plus extra opportunities each month, such as company classes and project performing opportunities. To join, send a request to:
artistdevelopment@swindondance.org.uk. For information about our
privacy policy, see the policies section on
our approach
Events for Professional Dance Artists
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Mon 20 - Fri 24 July
DansLab 2009
R&D session
Swindon Dance
Applications are now open for the 2009
DansLab award — an initiative developed by Swindon Dance to provide individual artists, companies or choreographers with time and space for creative research and exploration either in the studio or — new for 2009 — in a theatre space. Up to two weeks of R&D support is offered for
20th-24th July 2009 and
1st-5th September 2009. Award includes studio time, pre-production theatre time, video access, feedback and access to work in progress at Swindon Dance. Suitable for for artists at any stage of their career.
For more information and how to apply,
click here for Word document download. Applications close 8th June.
