Yorkshire dance annual review 2012 2013 by Yorkshire Dance

Yorkshire Dance Annual Review 2012 - 2013

www.yorkshiredance.com

Kath McKay, Just 30! participant

“I am impressed by how Yorkshire Dance reaches out to the world in its mission to bring dance to everybody.”

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

Wieke Eringa

Introduction

Caroline Miller, Director, Dance UK

2012/2013 was a year of tremendous artistic output in which Yorkshire Dance utilised Olympic and other opportunities to the full. The many highlights included the site specific OverWorlds & UnderWorlds project curated by the Quay Brothers; the region-wide Big Dance programme; the Ludus international festival; Dance Journeys: Youth Dance Conference and our very own 30th birthday celebration Just 30!, which brought together a cast of people aged 8 to 84 under the direction of Gary Clarke. It was during this celebratory night when both the Big Dance and Juncture festival documentaries showed the sheer breadth and impact of Yorkshire Dance as catalyst for innovation and development. Wieke Eringa CEO & Artistic Director

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“Yorkshire Dance: fantastic venue, open friendly staff especially brilliant on the day, quiet but super efficient and responsive to all our many requests.” Margaret Coleman

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This has been another extraordinary year for Yorkshire Dance and one which has been particularly special as it was marked by our truly splendid 30th birthday celebrations. It is a great testament to the hard work and creativity of the staff team, our partners and associates that we have reached the ripe age of thirty with so many successes to our name in a difficult climate for the arts. The Board is very proud of Yorkshire Dance’s innovative engagement with such diverse dance communities, from stunning professionals to enthusiastic and promising amateurs of all ages. We all look forward to many more stories of success in the next thirty years. Margaret Coleman Chair of the Board

photos © Yorkshire Dance Cover photo ParkLife, Big Dance 2012 in Wakefield © Crillpix

East Yorkshire & Hull Hub: Big Dance On the Beach, Bridlington, 2012 © Yorkshire Dance

Snap shot: our achievements During 2012 / 2013 we: • Delivered, in partnership with our youth dance hubs and a thriving partnership group, a region-wide Big Dance programme which saw 10,297 people participating, over 60,000 people watching 54 ‘days of dance’ and 81 small dance commissions from Bridlington beach to Doncaster Frenchgate Shopping Centre.

Gary Clarke’s The Deep at OverWorlds & UnderWorlds © Tom Arber

• Presented Dance Journeys, the region’s Youth Dance Conference which brought 97 delegates together to share good practice, network and increase knowledge and skills. • Celebrated 30 years of dance development with the Just 30! commission led by Gary Clarke and a mixed team of our practitioners and New Associate artists who created an intriguing and funny murder-mystery performed by a cast aged from 8 to 84. • Partnered with Leeds University to present a double bill of work from France and The Netherlands as part of the Ludus International Festival.

Tabea Martin’s Duet for Two Dancers, Ludus Festival © Dieter Hartwig

• Delivered Fresh 2013, the enhanced regional youth dance showcase in March with 252 young people performing and taking part in workshops across two buildings and three different showcases at Yorkshire Dance and West Yorkshire Playhouse. • Successfully built on the Friday Firsts performance series with seven new editions which were popular and well attended.

Mad Dogs Dance Theatre’s Missing at OverWorlds & UnderWorlds © Tom Arber

• Actively supported four New Associate artists with their career development, a further 15 artists with project support, and co-produced four new pieces of dance. • Supported a group of young people from the Richmond Hill and Seacroft areas of Leeds and their families to engage with learning, making, performing and watching dance – some of whom are now going on to Higher Education. • Helped, with our 5 city-based partners, to produce OverWorlds & UnderWorlds, a unique site-specific art installation curated by the Quay Brothers as part of Arts Council England’s Artists Taking the Lead programme to celebrate the Olympic games.

Big Dance Bradford © Yorkshire Dance

Leadership and regional development In partnership with four sub-regional hubs, a Youth Dance plan for the region was implemented; focussing on access, progression routes, performance opportunities and professional development.

RJC Youth Dance Company at Fresh 2013, West Yorkshire Playhouse © Brian Slater

The regional dance development network (RDDN) hosted by Yorkshire Dance is thriving and became a driving force for the development of Fresh, The Big Dance programme and Dance Journeys, the first Regional Youth Dance Conference.

Fresh 2013 Fresh 2013, the regional youth dance showcase, was bigger and better than ever: 252 young people joined in with workshops and performances at Yorkshire Dance and the foyer prior to the main showcase at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Rotherham Boys Project: Rebuzz at DanceFest2013 © James Dodd

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“Inspiring, invigorating, energetic, creative, wonderful evening of dance.” Leeds father of 12-year-old, Fresh 2013 “Each year the students see the other youth dance that happens around Yorkshire which helps with their aspiration and commitment.” Nikki Sullivan (group leader), Adrenaline

Rotherham Boys Project

Youth Dance in Yorkshire Sub-regional hubs

Young boys from Rotherham were recruited through a series of taster workshops in four areas of the city for Rotherham Boys Project, REBUZZ, supported through Provident Financial’s Good Neighbour Community Partnership. They experienced an intensive Easter course and weekly sessions. REBUZZ performed in a variety of venues, including Rotherham Civic Theatre as part of DanceFest 2013.

Sub regional Hubs North Yorkshire and York Hub North Yorkshire County Council; Hambleton District Council South Bank Hub North Lincolnshire District Council East Yorkshire and Hull Hub East Riding of Yorkshire Council South Yorkshire Hub Doncaster MB Council & Wayne Sables Project (Although there is no longer a separate West Yorkshire Hub, there are two dance strategy groups in Leeds and Bradford with others emerging, whilst there is a strong West Yorkshire representation on the Regional Dance Development Network)

Big Dance Schools Pledge, Millennium Square, Leeds © Yorkshire Dance

Big Dance Part of the London 2012 Festival, Big Dance provided a tremendous opportunity for growth and profile-raising of dance across the region. We worked closely with a partnership group across the region comprising many local authorities, festivals, venues and local third sector organisations. A varied programme resulted in 10,297 people taking part, 60,000 watching and 54 days of dance being generated, including 81 new small commissions. Highlights included dance on the beach in Bridlington, Protein Dance in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre (Doncaster), and Big Dance - Celebration on Millennium Square (Leeds) with hundreds of community performers alongside Phoenix Dance Theatre, Avant Garde and ponydance from Leeds, East London and Ireland respectively.

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I am particularly grateful [...] for the flexible, committed and responsive way you delivered Big Dance 2012 in Yorkshire. Through your existing networks and by cultivating new partners, the partnerships you developed excelled in reaching participants and audiences, and in being genuinely region-wide. Chris Stenton, Executive Director, Foundation for Community Dance / Big Dance

Protein Dance’s Invisible Dancing, Frenchgate Shopping Centre, Doncaster © Yorkshire Dance

Big Dance - Celebration, Millennium Square, Leeds © Yorkshire Dance

A massive well done for yesterday to your team; such a fantastic event, just fabulous! Ian Rodley, Artistic Director, Dance Action Zone Leeds

Dance Journeys – the Regional Youth Dance Conference The first of its kind, this conference focussed on supporting young people on journeys towards careers in dance or to healthy active lifestyles. It brought together, from across the region, 97 practitioners, commissioners of dance, teachers, young people, volunteers, those in health, sport and education for stimulating workshops, discussions and presentations. There was strong demand for making this an annual event.

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Congratulations on a very good conference. The number and range of people attending demonstrates the importance of your role in supporting youth and community dance development.” Linda Jasper, Director,Youth Dance England

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A very engaging and well thought-through conference. I met some fantastic, inspiring people and particularly loved the sessions with presentations and debates with young people. If we want to change the dance world we need to teach our young dancers to speak out loud and clear and have a voice that is listened to. Rosie Kay, artist

Wakefield Freerunners at Big Dance - Celebration © Crillpix

Parents & Tots class,Yorkshire Dance © Yorkshire Dance

Developing Talent: Youth and Community Youth and Community programme in Leeds

Leaps and Bounds in Rothwell, Leeds © Brian Slater

Our popular community and youth dance programme was attended weekly by 270 people. The Saturday Superstars programme (0-12 years) continues to be highly popular with a diverse group of families who enjoy access to affordable, pupil centred dance provision which is creative as well as challenging and fun. Our ongoing partnership with Leeds Adult Social Care resulted in a plethora of work with adults with learning disabilities as part of the Leaps and Bounds and Mind the Step programmes. The two popular Yorkshire Dance Youth companies drawn from the Seacroft and Richmond Hill areas in Leeds benefitted from a rich range of performance opportunities which resulted in the senior group being selected for the National Youth Dance festival fringe programme.

Yorkshire Dance Youth Juniors © Yorkshire Dance

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That workshop was brilliant,Yorkshire Dance has given me all these cool opportunities to do stuff with them – can’t thank them enough and only been there a month :) Emily,Youth Group participant, age 14

Just 30! new commission

Just 30! intergenerational company at Yorkshire Dance’s 30th birthday © Yorkshire Dance

Led by Gary Clarke, a team of New Associate artists and practitioners worked with a cast of 30 community dancers aged 8 to 84 to produce a piece of dance theatre, clearly owned and loved by all those dancing and watching. This commission not only provided unique access to an artistic process but also inspired a group of regional practitioners and artists who have already taken the learning forward in their own projects.

“ Yorkshire Dance Youth at Fresh 2013, West Yorkshire Playhouse © Brian Slater

Gary had a great capacity for helping build a group mentality, with humour and humanity, where everyone was looking out for everyone else, and rooting for them to do well. Beforehand, I was really nervous and feeling sorry for the poor choreographer who’d have to work with non-professional dancers. But when Gary said the process was just as important as the final performance, I felt instantly reassured, and enjoyed the ‘playing’ which was eventually crafted into the final piece. Kath Mckay, Just 30! participant

70/30 Split’s Two Do: a performance © Bee Mackenzie

Developing, retaining and attracting talent: independent artists In focus: New Associate programme Jordan Massarella, Louise Ahl, Nathan Geering and Sophie Unwin (as part of duo 70/30 Split) enjoyed advocacy, strategic planning, fundraising and project management support which saw each of them develop their choreographic practice, present work throughout the UK and build partnerships for their work.

Collective Happenings at Friday Firsts © Ashley Karrell

Professional development for the wider sector A range of open workshops with expert professionals, such as Clement Layes, Charlotte Vincent, Stop Gap, Ben Duke, James Wilton and Hagit Yakira provided skills development for the wider dance sector.

Nathan Geering © Michael Masser

Together with other Leeds partners we planned and hosted Dance UK’s Launch where 91 emerging dancers/makers had a chance to learn from leading producers, artists and managers. Now in its third year, the Diploma for Dance Teaching and Learning (Level 6) saw two cohorts (20 candidates) progressing through the four units. The first four to complete the qualification passed with three merits and one distinction.

The Collective Yorkshire Dance Membership

Ellen Turner’s Car Door Moment at Yorkshire Dance © Ellen Turner

The Collective,Yorkshire Dance artist membership (on average 69 artists), was supported through the provision of residency space for 31 artists with a total of 276 days and for 40 members with 933 hours of (free) stand-by space. Five small bursaries were distributed to support skills development. In addition 16 artists/companies received specific project support including space, feedback and advocacy.

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I really can’t stress how wonderful it is to have your support. Sounds cheesy, but I don’t think I would have got to this point in my career if it weren’t for all of your encouraging words and advice. Ellen Turner, independent artist

Simon Birch Dance Company’s Terrarium © Simon Birch

Developing talent: making new work Yorkshire Dance provided significant production support for four artistic projects:

Terrarium Beth Cassani & Andy Wood, Workmoves in Sheffield © Andy Wood

Yorkshire Dance supported Simon Birch with development, marketing and participatory activity for Terrarium, an outdoor dance-duet in a transparent bubble – building a project partnership with North Yorkshire Moors and Spin Arts Management. Performances: Whitby, Wykeham, Danby, Redcar, Helmsley, Kildale & Leeds.

Workmoves

Rachel Dean’s Love In Idleness © Brian Slater

Choreographer Beth Cassani and film maker Andy Wood worked with engineering firm Arup and Sheffield City Council on Workmoves, a choreographic enquiry into the interrelationship of movement and the workplace in partnership with imove. Two performances, two films and an academic paper were produced.

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Many thanks for a very stimulating evening last night and for sending this [paper] through. There are some wonderful insights in here. Jim Johnson, Director Infrastructure Practice Leader, Arup, North

Love in Idleness #Visitors © Jordan Massarella Dance

Inspired by the potency of plants, this piece by Rachel Dean took place in public gardens across Yorkshire where families were enticed to enjoy the landscape through dance and music. Outcomes included an ongoing partnership with Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Fundraising and production by Yorkshire Dance. Performances: Birstall, Wakefield, Sheffield, Leeds, Driffield.

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YSP was delighted to host the performance, working in partnership with Yorkshire Dance – a wonderful organisation – and Rachel Dean. The team was well organised and very professional; logistically the event was organised and managed excellently. A great experience. Damon Waldock, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

#Visitors New Associate Jordan Massarella created a set of striking characters who reflect the vacuous obsession with body image in contemporary culture. The outdoor and indoor adaptations toured to Barnsley, Hebden Bridge Festival, Leeds, Liverpool and London. Fundraised for and produced by Yorkshire Dance in partnership with Spin Arts Management.

OverWorlds & UnderWorlds © Tom Arber

Developing talent: presenting work Friday Firsts Building on the success of last year, seven Friday Firsts evenings provided a platform for independent dance artists working on the small scale whilst introducing audiences to contemporary dance. The 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. The programme included a graduate showcase, Burst; Pre-Mix with Breakin’ Convention led by Jonzi D; Bish Bash Bosh, an open scratch night presenting work by 17 artists / companies in three different spaces; Live Bites, the best of new independent work across the North; the Just 30! birthday celebrations; Going Solo, dedicated to the art of solo dance and Double Act, curated by artist Beth Cassani.

Jordan Massarella Dance’s A #Visitorial at Friday Firsts © Yorkshire Dance

Northern Platforms As part of this initiative with partners Dance Base, Dance City and Merseyside Dance Initiative across the North we supported artists Jordan Massarella, 70/30 Split and Douglas Thorpe to perform in Liverpool, Edinburgh and Newcastle respectively whilst inviting Robby Graham and The Mustdashios to Leeds. Post-show discussion and facilitated dinners and breakfasts provide artists with a critical chance to enter into dialogue with other regions’ audiences and promoters.

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Public in Private’s Allege at Ludus International Festival © Dieter Hartwig

It was fantastic to see you and the work in Leeds; I had a great night and enjoyed the breakfast feedback – a great idea! Anthony Baker, Artistic Director & joint CEO, Dance City, Newcastle

Ludus International Festival, Leeds In partnership with the University of Leeds we presented two evenings of Allege by Clement Layes (France) and Duet for Two Dancers by Tabea Martin (The Netherlands) both to much critical acclaim. Local artists were able to meet and work with the international guests through a dinner and workshop facilitated by Clement Layes.

Sammi, performing with Yorkshire Dance Youth at Fresh 2013 © Brian Slater

Case studies Sammi, aged 17,Yorkshire Dance Youth Member Sammi is from Seacroft, and discovered Yorkshire Dance in 2010.

“When the Youth Dance group really came together we danced our hearts out and I felt like my heart exploded” Jordan Massarella © Daniel Connor

“Being a New Associate has helped my professional development: I’ve learnt a lot, I feel like a young professional, and I feel supported”

“I love the energy that young people have... their ideas are original and fresh. I thrive on their enthusiasm”

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“It was advertised in school and I needed something to do. I was made to feel welcome straight away – the group is like my second family. It’s changed how I am. Dani, our teacher, is strict but a brilliant role model; she’s helped me be more confident. Working with her has made me realise I want to be a choreographer. I’d never thought about a career in dance before. My little sister and cousins are now in Yorkshire Dance Youth Juniors – our family are really proud of what we’ve achieved, and my sister says she wants to be like me when she grows up. The best moment so far was when the group really came together; we danced our hearts out and I felt like my heart exploded. I still get butterflies when I perform, but it’s what you have to do. I’d tell other people my age to give it a try – you don’t know what you might get out of it.”

Jordan Masssarella, New Associate The 23 year old from Barnsley was spotted by Yorkshire Dance in his third year at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

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“Yorkshire Dance gave me space to rehearse which was a huge thing; there’s limited rehearsal space in Leeds and it’s expensive, especially at that stage in your career without funding or much money. A year after graduating, my relationship with Yorkshire Dance had developed and it felt a natural step to work with them as a New Associate. It means a lot; I’m supported with space, and with advice and practical support to find funding and learn business skills. It’s helped my professional development: I’ve learnt a lot, I feel like a young professional, and I feel supported. It’s helped me create a name for myself and find opportunities to work with other organisations. I wouldn’t have been able to stay in this area without it. Studying in Leeds, I’d started to make connections and relationships here which I’d have lost if I’d had to move away. Now I’m touring work, they’ve even helped me build a following for it, an audience who want to see what I do next.”

Laura Murphy, freelance dance practitioner Laura graduated from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2011, majoring in Dance Education. She is 23 and lives in Harrogate.

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“I started dancing when I was 3, but joining a local youth dance company at 14 made me want to take dance seriously. After graduating, I was invited to gain more teaching experience with Yorkshire Dance Youth – my first proper step into teaching. It was good watching Danielle teach. I’d had training but not much teaching experience. I love the energy that young people have and their ideas are really original and fresh. I thrive on their enthusiasm. I was also invited to work on Just 30!, Yorkshire Dance’s project that brought young professionals like me together with experienced choreographer Gary Clarke. It was nervewracking but eye-opening – especially working with New Associate Nathan Geering, whose style is very different to mine, and with the non-professional dancers who performed in the show – a brilliant opportunity to input creatively into the piece.”

Financial Overview 2012-2013 Income £ Core income Core: Arts Council England Core: Leeds City Council Other public funding Arts Council England Leeds City Council Earned income Artistic & Educational Activities Tenants and hires Trusts and Foundations Donations Corporate Donations Total income

323,600 59,000 303,200 38,789 63,310 142,076 65,214 2,274 20,000 1,017,463

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

£ 29,367 143,538 31,673 7,547 375,662 269,066 856,853

The information above is derived from the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities contained in the audited annual accounts for the year ended 31st March 2013. Full audited accounts and Trustees’ report can be obtained from Yorkshire Dance.

Digital Reach Yorkshire Dance’s website attracted nearly 94,000 visits from over 58,000 unique visitors during the year. Two online-only editions of the Dance in Leeds & Yorkshire brochure reached 31,000 individuals – boosted by embedding them in our own (and other) websites and Facebook pages, with further traffic generated via Twitter and e-bulletins. The same techniques resulted in our Vimeo and YouTube channels attracting an audience of almost 7000.

Live Tweeting is a regular feature of our Friday Firsts programme and, by the year-end, we had attracted 3000 Followers. Facebook ‘Likes’ passed 1000 with a weekly reach averaging 2,500. The OverWorlds & UnderWorlds website attracted 18,743 unique visitors during the year, and 9,000 watched a live-stream of the event.

Board of Directors

Yorkshire Dance staff

Margaret Coleman (Chair) Alison Andrews Ric Green Rachel Krische Graham Mallinson Ruth Moran Cllr Adam Ogilvie Stuart Barker (retired) Charlotte Britten (retired) Mike Heydecke (retired) Mark Smith (retired)

Wieke Eringa Edwina Simpson / Andrea Smart Gail Ferrin & Paula Taylor Antony Dunn Kirsty Redhead Claire Holden / Katrina Ward Kate Ferris-Neely Hollie Harkness-Gowers Lauren Houghton / Rachael Jones Judy Rose Katherine Tate Clare Huby Sarah Spanton Front of House

Jemma Broomhead, Ailis Ferris-Neely, Aimee Hitchen, Ashlee Hitchen, Maria Jardardottir, Fiona McCulloch, Kate Machin, Jessica Mahy, Karina Nielsen, Matthew Peters

Theatre Technicians

Sarah Buckmaster, Leanne Hobbins & Huw Williams

IT Support

Computify Ltd

Associate Artist Gary Clarke

Douglas Thorpe Sophie Unwin and Lydia Cottrell

New Associates Louise Ahl Nathan Geering Jordan Massarella Sophie Unwin

Artists in receipt of bursaries Sharon Cameron Ella Mesma Carlos Pons Guerra Lucy Suggate

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

Tenants Balbir Singh Dance Company DEP Arts Elephant Marketing Imove Kendells Bistro The Music Studio John Newton Red Ladder Theatre Company Spin Arts Management Split Design UK

Artists receiving project support Louise Ahl Jo Ashbridge Beth Cassani & Andy Wood Dance United Yorkshire Rachel Dean Rita Marcalo Keira Martin Jordan Massarella Carlos Pons Guerra Wayne Sables See Us Move Tell Tale Hearts Harry Theaker

CEO & Artistic Director Administrative Director Youth and Community Director (job share) Marketing & Communications Manager Creative Producer and Programme Manager Studio Operations Manager Youth and Community Coordinator / Manager Projects & Programmes Coordinator Administrative Assistant Finance Administrator Assistant Studio Operations Manager Big Dance Project Manager Dance Journeys Project Manager

With thanks to all our funders and partners for 2012 – 2013 Arts Council England Leeds City Council Leeds Adult Social Care Foundation for Community Dance Garfield Weston Foundation Imove (The Legacy Trust) Jimbo’s Fund (formerly Hesco Bastion) Land Securities Leeds Community Foundation Leeds Metropolitan University The National Lottery Northern Ballet and the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Opera North Phoenix Dance Theatre Provident Financial plc Simply Health Space 2 University of Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse Waitrose Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Youth Dance England Arup & Sheffield City Ambassadors Scheme as part of Workmoves Volunteers Bethany Veness Dagmar Birnbaum Daniel Phung Emma Crichton Hannah Shaw Jayne Fullerton Katie Howard Kaye Lofthouse Laura Cassells Lisa Clayton Rachel Ryan Sarah Slater Shelly Tarbin

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

Charlotte Emptage Dahee Lee Darragh Butterworth Esther Goldsmith Heather Baines Katie Aynsley Katy Garforth Keisha Hamilton Lauren Barker Louise Quantrill Rebekah Roman Shaunna Howard