Yorkshire Dance Annual Review 2011-2012 by Yorkshire Dance

Yorkshire Dance Annual Review 2011 - 2012

www.yorkshiredance.com

Mission Yorkshire Dance champions the development of dance in Yorkshire. We do so by raising standards, by increasing knowledge and understanding and by fostering creativity and innovation.

Introduction 2011 / 2012 was an extraordinary year for Yorkshire Dance: the first year during which we operated a new business plan following significant business-remodelling. During this year we launched a new performance series Friday Firsts, delivered our first ever Juncture festival and launched The Collective,Yorkshire Dance artist Membership. We were joined by an almost entirely new Board of directors and prepared for the busiest pre-Olympic programming period with our many partners across the region. Wieke Eringa, CEO and Artistic Director

This has indeed been an extraordinary year in which Yorkshire Dance has achieved so much in this new chapter of its existence. With new structures and ways of working in place, the company has demonstrated almost impossible levels of energy and creativity in achieving our mission to lead and support the development of dance for the next generation of professional dancers and to work across the region to bring dance into communities. We have undertaken a review of governance and used our networks to build a first rate board with new directors bringing a superb range of professional skills as well as great enthusiasm for dance in its many forms. It is a great pleasure to lead such an outstanding board and to contribute to a company that has such a fine record achieved by a highly motivated and talented staff. Margaret Coleman, Chair of the Board

photos ÂŠ Matthew Andrews, Parachute / imove, Brian Slater,Yorkshire Dance Cover photo Liz Aggiss performing at Juncture ÂŠ Andy Wood

Snapshot: our achievements

V&A Artefacts (Charlotte Vincent & Liz Aggiss) at Juncture © Andy Wood

During 2011 / 2012 we: • delivered Juncture curated by Charlotte Vincent; a four-week residency period with a festival weekend which repositioned Yorkshire Dance as a place for high-quality experimental contemporary dance practice.

Fresh 2012 at West Yorkshire Playhouse © Brian Slater

• delivered Fresh 2012, the enhanced regional youth dance showcase in March with over 180 young people performing and doing workshops across 3 buildings in 3 different showcases at Yorkshire Dance, Northern Ballet and West Yorkshire Playhouse. • successfully introduced a new performance series of eight Friday Firsts which was popular, well attended and which enhanced our relationship with artists.

Devika Rao in Friday Firsts © Yorkshire Dance

• launched The Collective, our artist Membership. • increased the quality of Saturday Superstars classes while nurturing two youth groups from communities facing multiple challenges and deprivation. • actively supported 15 artists to develop new artistic project work and co-produced four new pieces of dance.

Breakdance class © Paul Greenwood

• introduced Tutor-Led Courses; popular with artists/teachers, these dance classes saw us welcome an average of 4,000 dance-visitors to our building per term. • developed a Strategic Youth Dance Plan with our youth dance hubs and the regional dance development network. An award of £80K towards The Big Dance galvanised the regional dance sector into a planning process that promises for a rich and varied programme during 2012-2013.

BrightFurnace at Juncture © Yorkshire Dance

Ballroom class © Paul Greenwood

Youth and Community Youth and Community programme in Leeds Our vibrant Youth and Community programme with underrepresented groups was attended by a diverse group of 225 young people, older citizens and adults with learning disabilities. Yorkshire Dance Youth Juniors © Yorkshire Dance Big Dance, Parklife (Wakefield) © Crillpix

This year saw a marked increase in quality of the Saturday Superstars programme (for ages 0-12) with excellent attendance figures and feedback as a result. The ongoing partnership with Leeds Adult Social Care resulted in an increase of activity for people with learning disabilities as part of Leaps and Bounds, whilst the Mind the Step and over-55 groups continued going strong. The two Yorkshire Dance Youth groups drawn from the Seacroft and Richmond Hill areas in Leeds, funded by Jimbo’s Fund, benefitted from a range of performance opportunities which resulted in an excellent performance on the main stage at Fresh 2012.

“I love working with Yorkshire Dance because I feel like I am part of a family - everybody respects each other and although a lot of effort goes in and it can be tiring, we all manage to go home smiling because we have achieved something one way or another :o)” Yorkshire Dance Youth member (age 14) “I wish everyday was Friday.” Leaps and Bounds participant “Since coming to Yorkshire Dance I’ve become more strong and more creative. I feel happier within myself.” Yorkshire Dance Youth member (age 14)

Leaps & Bounds class for adults with learning disabilities © Brian Slater

“Thank you for the invitation to a really inspirational and thoroughly enjoyable evening of dance [Fresh 2012] at West Yorkshire Playhouse. We had a fantastic time and were blown away by what we saw.” Andrew Edwards, BBC radio presenter

Leadership and regional development

RJC Youth Dance Company at Fresh 2012 © Brian Slater

In partnership with the five sub-regional hubs, a Strategic Youth Dance plan for the region was developed, each with an attached action plan. The regional dance development network (RDDN) hosted by Yorkshire Dance is thriving and has actively supported the development of Fresh and the Big Dance programme. Fresh 2012, the regional youth dance showcase was bigger and better than ever: 180 young people joined in with workshops and performances in three buildings: at Yorkshire Dance and Northern Ballet prior to the foyer and main stage showcases at West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Yorkshire Dance Youth at Fresh 2012 © Brian Slater

Highlight: North Yorkshire & York Hub Activity this year included a youth dance performance held at Easingwold Galtres Centre. The platform involved North Yorkshire Youth Dance, as well as groups from Colburn / Catterick, Northallerton and Bedale. A training day for teachers and practitioners was held in Bedale in February 2012, which included CPD that tackled tools for creating choreography as well as work with learning disabled and integrated groups in youth and community dance settings. The hub also supported activity with a group of traveller girls, who live in and around Stokesley. Example: professional development scoping

Sub-regional Hubs

In June 2011 a Practitioners Day invited dance workers from across the region to take part, skill-sharing and discussing CPD needs. In addition to practical sessions, several useful break out groups looked at training needs, as well as collated the practitioners’ skills and specialisms. This information proved invaluable for the design of the regional CPD programme.

North Yorkshire and York Hub Hambleton District Council

East Yorkshire and Hull Hub East Riding of Yorkshire Council

South Bank Hub North Lincolnshire District Council

South Yorkshire Hub Doncaster Council and Wayne Sables Project

West Yorkshire Hub West Yorkshire Sport

Supporting and up-skilling artists Artist Members: The Collective In April 2012 we launched The Collective, Yorkshire Dance’s artist Membership. It exceeded its target in attracting 57 members in the first year (21 student members). 342 days of residency space; 1265 hours of free stand-by space and 59 one-to-one advice & guidance sessions were used by artists and 6 small bursaries were distributed. Bloom in residence at Yorkshire Dance July 2011 © Bloom

Rachel Jean Birch in residence at Yorkshire Dance July 2011 © Rachel Jean Birch Gary Clarke’s Bagofti at the Edinburgh Festival 2011 © Maria Falconer

Quarry Hill co[LAB] © Andy Wood

Project support Yorkshire Dance provided 15 artists with project development support. Associate Artist Gary Clarke was supported with Ménage a Trois and Bagofti performances at, amongst others, Spring Loaded and the Edinburgh Festival. A partnership with York St John University enabled us to support Abigail Bucknell and Sophie Unwin with professional development including performances at Edinburgh and Leeds. Collaborative practice: Quarry Hill co[LAB] As an active member of the local partnership group Quarry Hill Creates,Yorkshire Dance worked alongside Red Ladder Theatre Company, East Street Arts and West Yorkshire Playhouse to deliver Quarry Hill co[LAB], a three-day collaborative-practice lab facilitated by Wendy Houstoun and attended by twelve local writers, actors, dancers, puppeteers, musicians and directors. Projects initiated in this lab are ongoing. Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning This was the second research year of the Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning during which we supported 10 candidates (cohort 1) and recruited 8 candidates for cohort 2. Whilst the qualification is embedding, our three mentors are increasingly able to lead parts of the qualification, alongside course leader Alison Beckett.

Making new work Yorkshire Dance provided significant production support for four artistic projects, some of which will see a culmination during the next financial year: The Traipse In partnership with imove (Yorkshire’s Cultural Programme for London 2012) we helped fundraise and project-manage BrightFurnace’s The Traipse, a contemporary-meets-rappersword-dancing work, created by Harry Theaker and performed outdoors and in unusual venues across Barnsley, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Grimsby and London.

BrightFurnace & imove, The Traipse © Tim Smith Simon Birch Dance Company at Friday Firsts © Yorkshire Dance

Terrarium – dance in a bubble We supported Simon Birch Dance Company with development, marketing and participatory activity for the outdoor performance piece, Terrarium – dance in a bubble, whilst building the partnership for the project alongside Spin Arts Management. Workmoves Choreographer Beth Cassani and filmmaker Andy Wood worked with Arup and Sheffield City Council on Workmoves, a choreographic enquiry into the relationship of movement in the workplace, also in partnership with imove.

Beth Cassani with staff at Arup, Leeds © Yorkshire Dance

Ultimate Dancer at Friday Firsts © Yorkshire Dance

“Many thanks to Yorkshire Dance for helping us turn a seed of an idea (to programme more dance as part of the festival), into a full blown reality.Their advice was invaluable, both in terms of being realistic about what might be feasible for our space and budget and by helping us make the imaginative leap required to programme a weekend of such eclectic, exciting and accessible dance in Hebden Bridge.” Kate Kershaw Hebden Bridge Arts Festival

Friday Firsts A new season of eight regular performances was introduced with the main aim of providing a platform for independent dance artists working on the small scale whilst introducing audiences to contemporary dance.

Ella Mesma, EVOL © James Rowbotham

Eight highly-varied evenings enabled us to make new relationships with artists, attract new attenders to contemporary dance and instigate debate with artists and audiences about new work. May 2011 Burst! Graduate showcase with students from York St John, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds University

Genevieve Say, Thick Skin © Joel Fildes

Jun 2011 B-Mix dedicated to new hip hop theatre by emerging artists Sep 2011 Rough Cut a presentation of research and work in progress Oct 2011 Bish Bash Bosh an open scratch night across the building in three spaces as part of Light Night Leeds Nov 2011 Live Bites the best of new independent work; as part of a Northern partnership with Dance City, Dance Base and Merseyside Dance Initiative and guests South East Dance Dec 2011 Where’s the Choreography? dance-in-film night curated by film-maker Andy Wood Feb 2012 Going Solo a night dedicated to the art of solo dance

Lila Dance, Here, Still Here, Still © James Rowbotham

Mar 2012 Live Art Meets Choreography new live art work curated by artist Sarah Spanton

Nathan Geering, A Father’s Love © Nathan Geering

“As a result of attending Live Bites in 2011 we booked Taciturn dance company from Liverpool. It was great to bring Taciturn to the festival – they were fantastic and had appreciative audiences for both performances. I’m really glad it was possible – and it couldn’t have happened if Yorkshire Dance hadn’t introduced me to the company.” Kate Beard, Grassington Festival

Juncture The first edition of Juncture, curated by Charlotte Vincent, was a month-long programme of residencies, performances, workshops, professional development and debate. Hugely successful with audiences and artists, Juncture repositioned Yorkshire Dance as a place for quality experimental contemporary dance.

The Two Wrongies, World of Wrong © Andy Wood

Curatorial strands focussed on female-led experimental practice, mentoring, leadership, contemporary aesthetic, humour, longevity and maturity. Artists involved included Liz Aggiss, Wendy Houstoun, New Art Club, Harry Theaker, Eddie Ladd, Antonia Grove, The Two Wrongies, Aurora Lubos, Charlotte Vincent and Claire MacDonald.

Aurora Lubos, Still Alive (installation) © Andy Wood

The programme generated great enthusiasm and a buzz with audience and artists, some of whom had come from as far as Italy and Sweden. There was a strong engagement with venue promoters, other dance agencies and with the northern area dance network. “Seeing innovative work from outside the region was refreshing and inspirational for my future work. From the networking I have made a new collaborative working relationship which is leading to creative new work.” Juncture Pass holder “Thank you for a very interesting program and lots of great events. I feel very fortunate to have such intriguing and challenging work on my doorstep and I really got a sense that this put Leeds on the map as a place where great dance happens.The discussions, performances, happenings, symposium... it all came together and I feel excited for the dance scene in Leeds.” Marie Hallager Andersen, Artist

“Juncture was an amazing event for me, particularly as a woman interested in choreography. It was really inspiring to hear other female choreographers speak (we don’t hear or see them often enough in the UK!) and to be able to ask them questions. It has inspired me to pursue my career as choreographer.The workshop with Liz Aggiss even inspired me to put in a new proposal for a new solo work.” Ella Mesma, Artist

“I feel I wouldn’t be so clear about my future plans if I hadn’t been given this support and guidance.”

Charlie, performing with Yorkshire Dance Youth in Fresh 2012 at West Yorkshire Playhouse © Brian Slater Danielle with Yorkshire Dance Youth Juniors © Yorkshire Dance

“Yorkshire Dance provides a hub to visit and revisit whenever necessary. It’s fantastic to work as a freelance artist within an organisation that provides continuous support and understanding.” “Providing support and platforms for my work,Yorkshire Dance has enabled me to gain beneficial experience and contacts, preparing me for the advance into industry.”

Case study 1: Charlie Yorkshire Dance Youth member “I joined Yorkshire Dance when I was 14 when they came to Seacroft and I’ve been in the youth company for two years. Since joining my confidence has improved; I learned how to become a healthier dancer, to be the best I can. We’re supported to work creatively which makes me stand out from the crowd. I’ve done work experience which was really good, working in the office and assisting in classes. This helped build up my skills in a working environment and gave me an insight to what happens behind the scenes. I’m hoping to go on to study dance.”

Case study 2: Danielle Byars Freelance dance practitioner “I’ve worked with Yorkshire Dance for three years on numerous community outreach, in-house and youth group projects, delivering dance sessions to children and young people. The YD ethos is always present: the sessions support creativity and provide young people with the freedom to express themselves in a safe, supportive environment. I was awarded a bursary to study on the new DDTAL (Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning) course which instigated a dramatic shift in the development of my teaching practice. The knowledge gained has been invaluable: I now have a better understanding how to develop the knowledge, skills and enjoyment of dancing in those I teach. I’m now leading my own groups of young people, some of whom may one day be working in roles like mine.”

Case study 3: Sophie Unwin New Associate “This year has been crucial to me as an emerging artist. I graduated, won a choreographic prize from Yorkshire Dance and York St John University, showcased my first work at Burst!, began my partnership with YD, gained funding and business mentoring, and represented Yorkshire at Dancebase’s Heads Up! at the Edinburgh fringe. It’s a daunting leap from education to industry, but YD’s support system has allowed for positive growth and offered the help necessary to develop my artistic practice, for example through attending Juncture and working with experienced artists. Providing support and platforms for my work,YD has given me beneficial experience and contacts, preparing me for the advance into industry.”

Financial Overview 2011-2012 Income £ Core income Core: Arts Council England Core: Leeds City Council Other public funding Arts Council England Youth Dance England Leeds City Council Earned income Classes, courses, workshops, box office, fees Tenants and hires Other Trusts and Foundations Corporate Donations Provident Financial Total income

185,639 57,200 68,025 56,000 32,322 89,511 101,326 9,262 26,500 20,000 645,785

Expenditure Artist development and professional programme Youth and Community Regional dance development Marketing Building and admin overheads Salaries, training, expenses Total expenditure

£ 61,458 42,378 24,684 4,945 265,371 265,471 664,307

The information above is derived from the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities contained in the audited annual accounts for the year ended 31st March 2012. Full audited accounts and Trustees’ report can be obtained from Yorkshire Dance.

Board of Directors

Yorkshire Dance staff

Margaret Coleman (Chair from July 2011)

Wieke Eringa Edwina Simpson Gail Ferrin & Paula Taylor Antony Dunn Sarah Shead / Kirsty Redhead Claire Holden Kate Ferris-Neely Lauren Houghton Hollie Harkness-Gowers

Roslyn Beattie (Chair, retired) Alison Andrews Stuart Barker Charlotte Britton Andrew Coggins Gill Cooper (retired) Gill Greaves (retired) Ric Green Mike Heydecke Victoria Hunter (retired) Rachel Krische Graham Mallinson Ruth Moran Cllr Adam Ogilvie Mark Smith Graham Webb (retired)

CEO & Artistic Director Administrative Director Youth & Community Director (Job Share) Marketing & Communications Manager Creative Producer & Programme Manager Studio Operations Manager Youth & Community Coordinator Project & Programmes Coordinator Administrative Assistant and Youth & Community intern Judy Rose Finance Administrator Warren Hudson Assistant Studio Operations Manager Katherine Tate Assistant Studio Operations Manager and Artistic Intern Isabelle Drummond & Natalie Smith Artist Interns Clare Huby Big Dance Project Manager Louise Crutchfield, Grace Harrop, Aimee Hitchen, Ashlee Hitchen, Maria Jardardottir, Fiona McCulloch, Karina Nielsen, Daliah Touré, Amy West Front of House Huw Williams Sarah Buckmaster Computify Ltd

Artist Advisory Group Simon Birch Beth Cassani Rachel Krische Balbir Singh Sarah Spanton Charlotte Vincent Associate Artist Gary Clarke Artist practitioners (regular) Cassandra Butler Danielle Byars Sharon Cameron Alison Grace Clissold Rachel Dean Nathan Geering Louise McDowell Laura Murphy Bryony Mylroie-Smith Zoe Parker Daliah Touré Lindsey Wood Artists receiving project support Simon Birch Abigail Bucknell Beth Cassani & Andy Wood Rachel Dean Vanessa Grasse Rita Marcalo Harry Theaker

Douglas Thorpe Daliah Touré Sophie Unwin Kathinka Walter Artists in receipt of bursaries Louise Ahl Danielle Byars Rachel Dean Nicola Forshaw Rita Marcalo Douglas Thorpe Tenants Balbir Singh Dance Company DEP Arts Red Ladder Theatre Company SAA UK Spin Arts Management Split Design UK With thanks to all our funders and partners for 2011 – 2012 Arts Council England Leeds City Council Adult Social Care Arup & Sheffield City Ambassadors Scheme as part of Workmoves Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust Co-operative Bank Andy Craven d2 Digital by Design Ltd Extended Services, Leeds

Production Manager (Juncture) Technician IT Support

Foundation for Community Dance Garfield Weston Foundation Imove (The Legacy Trust) Jimbo’s Fund (formerly Hesco Bastion) Leeds Community Foundation Leeds Metropolitan University and Jim Harrison at Leeds Met Gallery & Studio Theatre Northern Ballet and the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre Opera North Paul Hamlyn Foundation Phoenix Dance Theatre Space 2 Spin Arts Management West Yorkshire Playhouse West Yorkshire Sport Youth Dance England Critical Friends (Juncture) Jamie Watton & Nicola Stephenson Volunteers Jade Anand Denise Bastone Lisa Clayton Sofia Galindo Hsin-Yi (Cindy) Rachel Jenkins Kate Matthews Laura Pryce

Yorkshire Dance, 3 St Peter’s Buildings, St Peter’s Square, Leeds LS9 8AH 0113 243 9867, admin@yorkshiredance.com Yorkshire Dance Centre Trust Company Ltd Registered 2319572 England Registered Charity No. 701624 VAT No. 418 0193 70

Heather Baines Jemma Broomhead Samantha Dyer Claire Greenwood Chris Hughes Katie Machin Jasmin Moss Rachel Shand