SWINDON DANCE
is known for being both a place
where ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things through dance, and a place where dance artists at all levels can find support and encouragement.
Whether helping people learn to dance, learn about dance, watch dance or make and perform dance, we are committed to the idea of dance as a positive force, with the power to transform people — unlocking emotions and breaking down barriers.
Our approach combines this viewpoint with broader ideas. These include providing dance access on the widest possible basis locally and regionally, taking an holistic view of the place of dance in our lives and promoting links between audiences and dance.
We are passionately committed to dance as an artform, and work hard to support dance artists in the creation of new work. Professional development and training are core activities for us and we actively encourage quality and depth.
THE GOLDEN THREAD
Swindon Dance has developed an approach to dance education that we call the golden thread.
The golden thread links performance, community dance, dance education for young people and artist professional development — the four main things we do.
All our programmes are designed to work as an integrated whole — a dance ecology. We develop relationships with artists and companies, supporting their development through our
associate artist and
professional development schemes. Their work with us in turn supports people in our education and community programmes by providing direct access to dancers at work.
WE BELIEVE IN ....
DANCE FOR EVERYONE
We are dedicated to providing dance opportunities for individuals at all levels of experience, ability and financial circumstances. We strive to ensure that neither age, gender, cultural background, physical ability, learning ability nor location in the region are barriers to access. We see community participation as part of audience development.
EXCELLENCE FOR ALL
We believe that everyone has the right to the best-possible quality dance experience and actively direct our energies to providing access to it. We strive to ensure that all our work is done to highest quality professional standards.
SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS
The support of artists and aspiring professional dancers is a vital part of dance development locally, regionally, and nationally. We emphasize the fostering of talent and acknowledge the important part that artists play as role models.
PARTNERSHIP AS KEY
We seek active working partnerships at local and regional levels — with, for example, venues, arts organisations, universities and dance companies. This way of working benefits the partners, the community, the region and dance in general.
...
our current partners >
CREATIVITY AS A DRIVER OF CHANGE
We look for ways to give creativity a major role in the way we work. We see creativity as a constructive ingredient in personal and organisational growth.
RISK TAKING AS A WAY FORWARD
Taking risks implies the possibility of both progress and failure but we believe that sticking with safe ideas is not an option in the development of dance. We commission and support new work, recognising that what may at first look challenging may well turn out to be a new direction.
DANCE AS A POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Both participating in and watching dance can be inspirational, provocative and attitude-changing. Dance can help fulfill people's aspirations: for self-development, for a career, for the future. We believe that dance can be a catalyst for extraordinary achievements.
OUR GOALS
For a full description,
see (pdf) ...
artistic policy download 
MAKING AND PERFORMING DANCE
Foster the creation of quality, interesting small scale modern work.
Support dance artists in taking the risks inherent in the development of the art form.
Widen both the aesthetic range of work presented and the ways of presenting it.
Support dance artists and choreographers by providing professional development opportunities.
LEARNING TO DANCE
Provide the widest possible range of opportunities for people wanting to dance.
Create pathways to opportunities for young dancers to join dance groups.
Nurture young dancers with exceptional talent or potential.
Provide accredited training courses.
SEEING DANCE
Find and fill gaps in local and regional dance presentation and raise the general profile of dance.
Find ways to engage a young audience.
Work towards audience acceptance of a wider aesthetic of dance.
LEARNING ABOUT DANCE
Contribute to cultural education in the region.
Find and fill dance-related gaps.
Document the work we commission and provide access to it.
