DCNW research programme | 2022-2024
Celebrating the Research Programme
Over the last two years, the Dance Consortia North West Research Programme commissioned 17 artists to re-imagine dance in the North West by researching, creating and delivering new work.
The two year programme culminated in Collective Inquiry, a two-day dance symposium at Arts Bar in Liverpool in October 2024, which shared highlights from the Research Programme findings and spotlighted six of the commissioned artists. The spotlighted artists led workshops, gave talks, shared films and performed in a packed programme and buzzing two days, which showcased dance from all corners of the North West.
Highlights included a Bharatanatyam dance workshop led by Dr Swati Raut from Wigan-based Swati Dance, a tap dance workshop and Jazz Tap Jam performance by Liverpool’s Sole Rebel; and a short film sharing and hip hop workshop by Chad Taylor from Manchester.
Liverpool’s 24 Hope Street led a session and shared learnings from their Digital Open Labs and experiment with using technology when making dance and UCLan Dance displayed a pop-up exhibition and gave a talk on their research into embedding care within dance practice.
The two-days ended with a stunning performance of When You Light A Candle, You Also Cast A Shadow performed by Chester-based Company Carpi.
In this final news round-up, we celebrate the learnings and achievements from the Research Programme and invite you to dive into a collection of resources, which capture the spirit of the activity that has taken place.
Watch the film, explore the artist’s visual, browse the photo gallery and read the brochure summarising the 17 projects.
As a legacy to the programme, the resources provide a valuable snapshot of the quality and breadth of dance in the North West today, and demonstrate the diversity, sense of community, shared passion and commitment to the art form in the region.
Natasha Wolffe, Research Programme Manager said: “I feel very privileged to have spent time with some of the wonderful, inspiring and creative dance practitioners of the North West and to have experienced their generous and thought-provoking work at first hand. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the programme and shared their time and vision to make it so unique."
Adam Holloway, Director of Cheshire Dance, which hosts Dance Consortia North West, said: “The Research Programme was developed during a challenging time for dance in the North West, offering crucial support to dance artists and organisations. From Swati Dance’s exploration of South Asian dance in the region to the innovative use of technology in 24 Hope Street’s experimental dance project, the outcomes and insights from the 17 projects have been far-reaching. These achievements provide valuable momentum for strengthening and sustaining the North West dance sector from here on.”
Credits: Lead image: Sole Rebel, photo by Joel Chester Fildes / Video by Ben Williams / Artist visual: Louise French / Photo Gallery: photos by Joel Chester Fildes
Explore the artist'S visual
Research Programme: BACKGROUND
COMMISSIONING CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Dance Consortia North West’s two-year programme of research commissions artists and organisations who want to re-imagine dance, be more creative and work with artists and creators from many different backgrounds and styles of dance.
The commissions explore new ways of making work, engaging people, showcasing artists, generating employment in dance, reducing inequalities, and bringing different kinds of dance to all kinds of spaces. The aim is to create and share exciting dance programme which creates stronger dance professionals, organisations and audiences.
The Research Programme commissions artists, companies, academics, venues and others to make work in one of three strands:
DANCE LABS: Commissions that experiment through artistic practice including choreography, performance, workshops, academic, or other relevant methodologies
PLATFORMS: Performances, scratch nights and showcases to present work and artists at formal and informal venues to engage colleagues, audiences and programmers
IMPLEMENTING CHANGE: Sharing and using research for sustainable change in practice, engagement and dance infrastructure.
The DCNW Research Programme has been created from the needs of the North West dance sector and the commissions have been led by the sector. The proposal process has been open and flexible and responsive rather than restrictive. Most importantly, the commissions work to make positive impact on the sector, experiment to resolve issues or create knowledge, and have take into account the priorities of the programme.
Research programme Priorities
The commissions work to meet the project’s priorities:
ADAPTING TO LIFE BEYOND COVID
To help recover lost audiences and engage with artists and audiences who are adapting to Covid. The commissions develop new ways of creating and performing dance while experimenting to create the future of dance.
REDUCING INEQUALITIES
Project commissions target communities of lower engagement, including artists and audiences from Black and Asian diasporas, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, in geographic cold spots, or those who encounter disadvantage because they are younger or older.
INCREASING RESILIENCE
To discover new tools to make work and attract audiences and a more diverse workforce. The commissions explore new markets, products and practice and often address issues such as professional development, environmental sustainability, touring, employment, diversity and others.
The commissions emerge from the dancers, creatives, teachers and organisations of the North West.
successful commissions
ROUND ONE COMMISSIONS
Round one commissions for the DCNW Research Programme were awarded in February 2022. Discover the projects commissioned for this round.
ROUND TWO COMMISSIONS
Round two commissions for the DCNW Research Programme were awarded in May 2022. Discover the projects commissioned for this round.
ROUND THREE COMMISSIONS
Round three commissions were awarded in August 2023. Discover the projects here.
