New grants available for regional artists and dance professionals

Dance Hub Birmingham announces funding opportunities in the West Midlands.

Dance Hub Birmingham has announced two new funding opportunities for artists and dance professionals based in Birmingham and West Midlands.

The first round of Developing Practice Grants, (or ‘go see’ grants) is for artists, producers, curators and dance sector professionals who are based in Birmingham or the West Midlands (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) and will be developing their practise in the region.

With up to four grants available in this round Dance Hub Birmingham is keen to support those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to access professional development and experience work that will impact on their future practice as well as those with a willingness to share their learning across the dance sector.

Dance Hub Birmingham’s first round of Commissions is for artists who are based in Birmingham or the West Midlands (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) and who will be developing and presenting work in the region. Dance Hub Birmingham is particularly interested in commissioning dance that will be ambitious and focused on creating dance that is part of the fabric of the city-region reaching the widest possible audience – indoors, outdoors and digitally – in conventional and unusual performance spaces within the region and beyond.

Dance Hub Birmingham is looking for co-commissions, diverse and inclusive work and work that uses digital technology in creation and/or distribution, and work that raises the reputation of Birmingham as an international centre of excellence for dance nationally and internationally

Monique Deletant, Director of Dance Hub Birmingham said: “We are delighted to announce these fantastic opportunities for artists and dance sector professionals in our region. Both opportunities demonstrate our commitment to investing in dance in the West Midlands from ensuring independent artists have professional development opportunities to ensuring more new dance is created here, connecting artists and amplifying the brilliance that exists here, that both reflects our region, and helps us continue to position Birmingham as an international centre of excellence for dance.”

Peter Knott, Area Director Arts Council England added: “Public investment plays a vital role in supporting England’s rich and vibrant cultural scene and Dance Hub Birmingham is an important part of this picture. We’re delighted to be investing in their new commissions offering artists the opportunity to develop their practice as well as create new work inspired by Birmingham and wider West Midlands region.”

The deadline for applications to the Developing Practice Grants is Monday 30th October. The deadline for Artists Commissions is Thursday 2 nd November. Download the application details from www.culturecentral.co.uk/dance-hub

Pics: Alicia Knight