Dance Consortia North West is announcing a reset moment with a series of three consultation sessions with artists and independent producers across the region. Please do join us.

The agenda will focus on the future of dance in the NW and will be facilitated by two new DCNW consultants, Ian Tabbron and Helen Palmer, thanks to the support of Arts Council England funding. Together we can instigate a real push for change, to create more and better opportunities for dance across the entire region.

Ian and Helen bring a wealth of experience and will be working with us into the new year through 3 phases:

• Consultation – So we really understand current and future needs in a fast changing and what can feel like an ever-tougher working environment.
• Planning – Not just a document, but working groups that will re-imagine new, much needed programmes for dance development.
• Resourcing – And yes, we have a fundraiser too, who will help make those crucial asks for longer term investment in the projects we design together.

The broad aims that we can use to help guide our thinking and action will centre around ‘new work, new practice, diversity and place.’  No doubt our climate emergency will and should feature too. All conversations during the sessions will be held in confidence.

The three sessions will take place on:

Wednesday 17^th July 2pm – 4.30pm – Lancaster (The Storey)

Monday 22^nd July 10am – 12.30pm – Liverpool (Unity Theatre)

Tuesday 30^th July 10am – 12.30pm – Manchester (Contact Theatre)

You can book your FREE place at any of these consultations here.

Whilst encouraging in-person, we will open up an opportunity to join online.

We are keen to hear from diverse voices, but we recognise that it can be especially difficult for freelance artists and practitioners to attend consultation sessions in person due to a variety of reasons such as financial, childcare, access requirements etc. We have a small number of bursaries available to support travel and per diem expenses. If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please click here.

There will be other gatherings planned too in the coming months, not just about the future of North West dance but also practice sharings and events coming out of the final phase of DCNW’s Research Programme.

Please confirm which date you can join us by booking a FREE ticket here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheshire-dance/e-xlgbke.

Let’s work together and push again for change.

Bursaries:

At Cheshire Dance, we believe that access, equity and diversity are important for Dance Consortia North West, our programme and the wider dance sector. We have a limited number of bursaries available for each workshop for £40 each to cover travel expenses and basic per diem costs.

We therefore may not be able to accommodate all requests due to budget limitations.

If you are not successful in securing a bursary and are therefore unable to attend one of the workshops, we will arrange for you to speak to Ian or Helen directly on a one to one basis.

To apply for a bursary, please complete this short form here: https://forms.gle/gJ1PFxnbUnWm7qiK9

For questions or queries or to tell us about any access requirements, please contact: dcnw@cheshiredance.org.