Take Art Dance had a lovely festive break but we're back with renewed energy, focusing on all the fantastic events and opportunities that are coming your way in the next two months.
Spring Forward
Programming for Spring Forward 2023 is well underway! We are overwhelmed with the number of high quality applications received to take part across the three platforms. We have community groups, youth groups and schools across Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire, and Hampshire on our list!
We're asking all successful groups and performers to share their rehearsal process using hashtag #springforwarddancefestival and tag us on Instagram @takeartorg.
Tickets are already on sale and selling fast. Book here to secure the best seats for the most exciting and inclusive platform in the Somerset dance calendar!
Little Big Dance
In January, 13 emerging UK and international artists spent a week at the newly opened Dance Space in Brighton with an early years dance specialist, a dramaturg, and a choreographer. It was an immersive experience focusing on learning about how child development impacts upon their experience of the world.
This will act as a springboard for the artists to create new work for under-fives and ultimately support the early years dance sector to flourish.
We will also welcome cycle two commissioned artist Xenia Aidonopoulou to Somerset over the next month to carry out research and development with children in two chosen early years settings in Sedgmoor and Mendip. She will then use this knowledge to create and produce Skydiver, a brand new piece of dance work for under five year olds.
You can read more about Little Big Dance here.
Emerge
We are delighted to be leading on a new project; Emerge, a two-year, environmentally inspired partnership with Seed and Stacked Wonky Dance. The project will draw together communities in Bridgwater in unforeseen ways via a high quality, large-scale, arts-led public engagement programme throughout 2023/24.
Starting in January 2023 the project will focus on a 6 month Research & Development phase. Using best practice guidelines in community consultation and engagement we aim:
- To work directly with the community throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered
- To partner with the community in each aspect of the decision making including the development of the project and the preferred delivery and outcome
To help with this Take Art are looking to recruit a local Community Builder to work with us as a critical guide on the ground. The Community Builder needs to ideally live or work in Bridgwater who is directly connected to and linked into the various communities in the town. The Community Builder will be passionate about climate change and adaptation.
Further information on this role can be found here. The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Monday, 6 February.
Our Turn
Following a lovely festive session before Christmas, Our Turn participants are back and enjoying their weekly sessions along with refreshments and games at St Peter’s Community Centre.
New participants are always welcome. For more information, please visit this page or email ourturn@takeart.org.
Rural Touring Dance Initiative (RTDI)
January sees the official launch of the 6th national menu of rural touring dance presented by RTDI. The eight artists and companies selected by a panel at the end of 2022 will present their work to rural touring schemes across the country in a live online event.
Our regional co-ordinator, Beccy, will then work with schemes across the South-West, including Take Art, to plan the Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024 touring seasons. The aim is to bring great professional contemporary dance performances, workshops and much more to the region in a really joined up way so we can make the most of all the opportunities RTDI presents.
Find out more about the latest menu here: (Veronika to insert link when website updated with new menu details).
Opportunities
Applications to be part of the South West regional U Dance 2023 platform are still open. Deadline for applications is 7 February 2023. For more information and how to apply please visit this link.