The new artists’ development strategy is designed to ensure the city becomes a leading hub for innovative ideas and will tackle the issue of how to support increasing numbers of choreographers engaging with DanceXchange who have differing levels of experience.

DanceXchange is building on the success of its established Choreography Award programme, designed for artists in the early stage in their choreographic career, by providing development opportunities for artists whose levels of experience lie either side of its parameters.

Lucie Mirkova, Head of Artistic Programmes explains: “We have so many enquiries requesting support from students after graduation, from those who have been through our Centre for Advanced Training Scheme, as well as from more established dancers who want to develop their ambitious choreographic work.”

Launched this week is Choreolab which will offer three very early stage artists a two-week facilitated residency and mentoring by an established artist.

For the first edition, beginning in January 2020, Lea Anderson will be the mentor and all three artists will be in residence at the same time, creating a community with space for dialogue, learning and reflection, and the opportunity to share their work. Places are offered nationally, though priority will be given to Midlands-based artists.

DanceXchange is also launching a new Artists in Residence programme which will continue to develop its support for choreographers who are further advanced in their careers. Up to five artists who are successfully established in their career but need support to take a larger step, will be offered residencies which include up to six weeks of studio and production space plus mentoring from team members.

They will also receive financial support for each week of their residency. Applications are encouraged from artists based regionally and nationally, who have the potential to be programmed within DanceXchange’s performance programmes and the dx-produced Birmingham International Dance Festival.

“Key to the new programme’s success will be the exchange of ideas and opportunity for discourse between all of the Artists on the three programmes and the region’s wider dance community.

“Our artistic policy is committed to engaging with artists who have new ideas, and whose work is choreographically driven, ambitious and inspiring. We are particularly interested in artists who are questioning the boundaries of dance perspective, and bringing new, unique and diverse voices to dance and who may be looking to take established dance styles into new areas,” says Lucie.

This new three-tiered approach to artist development will bring huge benefits to choreographers, artists and audiences in Birmingham and beyond, with the potential for some artists to engage with all three stages over the coming years with increased links across dance communities.

“We hope this integrated approach will result in more artists working in Birmingham, with a diverse breadth of practice,” says Lucie, “developing the critical mass for dance and ensuring Birmingham is a vibrant, international centre for dance.”

To find out more about Choreolab or the Artists in Residence programme and learn how to apply visit www.dancexchange.org.uk Applications for both programmes will close on 2nd September.