While some artists may be ready to apply for funding to develop a work, or to apply to our residency programme, Dance Base are also excited to provide a space for artists to create, connect and explore outwith a project structure. This is where our free Open Studio offer comes in to play! 

Each term two of our studios are provided for use by dance artists with weeks being prioritised for Artist Residencies and In-Kind Studio Space & Support. To accompany this Dance Base are also providing approximately 3 weeks a term as an Open Studio. Scotland-based dance and movement artists can use a studio for a full day at a time to explore ideas, engage with each other and play, with no application or outcome expectation. 

Applicants will need to register as a Professional Dance Artist ahead of contacting Dance Base. This is a very simple form that collects your contact details and adds you to the Dance Base database. This then allows us to manage our provision of support to the dance sector in a much more streamlined way and keep in contact with you about upcoming opportunities at Dance Base. 

 

Availability for Spring 2021:

We have space available on:

• Monday 17th January 09:30 - 17:30
• Tuesday 18th January 09:30 - 17:30
• Wednesday 19th January 09:30 - 17:30
• Thursday 20th January 09:30 - 17:30

If you require space outside of these times please contact our Hires team to book in with our professional artist hire rate of £9 an hour.

 

What Dance Base can provide: 

• 1-2 days in a clean, warm studio space Monday – Friday roughly 09:00 – 17:00 (times vary per studio) 
• Basic studio sound equipment 
• Free wireless internet
• Exclusive access to a shared Greenroom, changing rooms (inlcuding showers and lockers) and kitchen 

 

Who it is for: 

Our Open Studio days are open to: 

• Artists* who are predominantly based in Scotland 
• Artists* who see their work as based in physical or choreographic practices 

*Dance Base understands the term “artist” to include dancers, choreographers, teachers, performers and makers working within a movement based practice.  

There is no expectation of what the Open Studio days should be used for, but it may include: 

• To dance in a larger space
• To practice a new class format or technique for your own teaching
• To collaborate with other artists on the initial ideas for a new work
• To try out ideas or creative explorations
• To have an artist led conversation with your peers 

 What it is not for: 

• To teach a private class 
• To stage a public sharing

If you require a space for either of these activities, or on an hourly basis, please contact our Hires team. 

 

How to apply: 

Once our Residency Programme is allocated (usually a minimum of 6 weeks before the public classes term begins) Dance Base will announce which dates are available. This will be shared on our website, social media and e-news. Artists are invited to book in via a first come first served basis with the option to initially book a maximum of 2 days per term. If space is still available this can be increased. 

Applicants should emailour Hires team on hires@dancebase.co.uk detailing: 

• Their dates in order of preference
• Details on how many people will be using the space
• Contact details for the lead artist 

Dance Base recognise that there are significant barriers to working in the dance sector and that these challenges are experienced more acutely by those facing marginalisation and deep-rooted systemic injustice. This includes people with protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 across age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation alongside those with chronic illness, neurodiversity, parental/caring responsibilities, experience of the immigration system and people from working-class backgrounds.  

We are committed to increasing the diversity of artists working in our sector and especially welcome conversations from those who identify as having characteristics currently under-represented in our sector.  

 

How the decision is made: 

The dates will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We do understand that this approach may not work for all artists due to other commitments or their personal way of working and we will endeavour to keep an active wait list and contact these artists as additional days become available throughout the term.

 

Should you wish to have a conversation about the application process, require this information in an alternative format, or have access requirements we need to meet to support you in making an application please contact Kirsty Somerville, Programmes Manager at Dance Base on kirsty@dancebase.co.uk