At Dance Base Scotland, our aim is to build, support and nurture the national and international success of Scotland-based dance artists, using our resources and the skills of our fantastic staff team to ensure that all dance artists in Scotland have opportunities to develop successful careers.

Since March 2020 we have joined in conversation with artists and organisations from across the country to explore what support artists really need to enable them to create and present the work they want to make, in the way that they want to make it.

Alongside the need for funding and space to practice and create (which we are providing through our Studio Space programme of paid artist residencies, in-kind space and open studio!) you have told us that , as self-producing artists and freelancers, you need access to free, personal support and advice from organisations to answer questions, explore ideas and develop new skills.

In response, we launched a brand new Artist Support Programme in July 2021. This programme brings together some of our existing support strands, refreshed for the new landscape, and introduces new opportunities that provide a robust programme of practical, logistical, and creative support for dance and movement artists across the country.

Everything within this programme is free to access and open to anyone in Scotland who considers themselves to be a professional dance artist. We are working hard to ensure that the Artist Support Programme is fully accessible to anyone who would like to use it so if there is anything that we can put in place to help you to fully engage with the Programme please get in touch to tell us how we can meet your needs. Please email Kirsty Somerville, Head of Professional Programme, on Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk for more information

 

What Is It

The programme is responsive to what you need and includes:

• 1-2-1 surgeries with the Dance Base producing team where you can access practical support and advice on anything from budget writing to tour planning
• 1-2-1 surgeries with guest industry trailblazers and arts leaders where you can ask questions on more specific topics such as international touring, funding changes and more. The topic of these conversations will be programmed in response to your feedback and reflect what you really want to know more about
• 1-2-1 surgeries with the Artistic Director to discuss performance or project ideas, and potential festivals or networks to support the promotion of your work.
• 1-2-1 coaching where you can make a focused space to identify, explore and set goals for your career and practice
• A programme of inspiring conversation events and informative workshops reflecting on some of the most frequently asked questions, and the challenges facing the sector at the time
• Direction to other avenues of support, development and opportunity available to artists, and individual introductions to folk in the sector who will be able to help you further

 

Who Is It For

The Artist Support Programme is built with YOU in mind! Our programme of support is completely free to access and open to anyone who considers themself a professional dance / movement artist. All we ask is that you:

• Are based in Scotland
• See your work as based in physical or choreographic practices
• Are working at a professional level at any stage – we are here for new graduates, emerging artists, mid-career artists, experienced artists, and everyone in-between!

This programme isn’t just for those who are making and choreographing work either. We are here for artists working in any area of dance and movement so if you are a teacher, working in creative learning or engagement work, or a dancer in a company, please do have a look and explore what we have on offer. We hope you come with us on this journey to providing the Scottish dance community with the support and resources you need. If you notice something we’re not doing, or can point us in the direction of best practice we want to hear about it! Please email Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk 

 

How Does It Work

First things first, everything in the Artist Support Programme is free to attend! To access the programme we just ask that you complete a very short form to register as a professional dance artist with Dance Base. This will just take 2 minutes of your time, and it will be used by the Producing team to track what opportunities you take part in, and to ensure that we are providing the best support we can moving forward.

Register here: Dance Base Professional Artist Registration Form

You can sign up to our all of our Surgeries, Workshops & Guest Surgeries, Coaching sessions and Events on the website with slots being allocated on a first come first served basis – check the pages for full details.

 

Accessibility

We are working hard to ensure that the Artist Support Programme is fully accessible to anyone who would like to use it. This means that:

• All surgery sessions, workshops and events will be free to attend
• All surgery sessions, workshops and events will be delivered online via Zoom so that you can take part wherever you are
• BSL interpretation will be provided at all workshops and events, and available on request for Surgery sessions
• All workshop and events will be recorded and accessible on the website with full closed captions after the event

If you require any other forms of support to engage with the programme please do let our team know and we will do our absolute best to put this in place. Please email Kirsty Somerville, Head of Professional Programme on Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk 

 

Get In Touch

If you have any questions about the programme, what we have on offer, or how to access it please contact Kirsty Somerville, Head of Professional Programme on Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk