Dance Transformations Symposium

Dance Transformations: Developing Choreographers

Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE) Coventry University
Wednesday 19th October 2011, 10am - 5pm

Dance Transformations is a two-year inclusive artist-led development programme in the West Midlands, for emerging dance artists to explore choreographic ideas, led by Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company.

The Symposium is an opportunity for dance artists, teachers, researchers, project managers and arts leaders to come together to find out more about the unique approach and processes of the Dance Transformations programme and how this might inform your own professional practice. We will discuss the broader issues that are impacting on inclusive dance companies and individual dance artists with and without disabilities, with the aim to identify a committed group with ability to influence sector development. We will be asking ‘what does it mean to be an independent disabled dance artist with ambitions to create work in the current climate?'

The day will include sharing of interim film and research, presentations of work in progress by the Transformations artists and an opportunity for open discussion. A panel of experts in the field of inclusive dance will participate in the day to stimulate thought about the broader context for inclusive dance in the UK. The panel includes Luke Pell, Head of Learning and Development, Candoco Dance Company; Lisa Craddock, Programme Manager, Professional Development, Foundation for Community Dance; and Louise Portlock, Education Associate, Gloucestershire Dance.

Dance Transformations is managed and delivered by Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company in partnership with Coventry University’s ICELab; (Institute for Creative Enterprise) and with the support of DanceXchange (dx), all of whom have a stake in providing enhanced opportunities for disabled dance artists in the region. Ultimately Dance Transformations aims to provide a unique environment that empowers emerging artists to investigate dance making.

Dance Transformations is a Dancing for the Games project inspired by London 2012 and part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands. It has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands.

Provisional schedule for the day (subject to change)
10.00 – Welcome, plan for the day and introduction to the Dance Transformations programme
11.00 – Coffee
11.30 - Sharing of work by Dance Transformations artists
12.30 – Panel response to work and open discussion; the inclusive dance landscape
1.30 – lunch and screening/delegate proposals for questions and themes for the afternoon
2.30 – World Cafe (break out groups for discussion)
4.15 – Open discussion
4.45- Closing remarks
5.00 - Close

Costs: £15 individual, £25 attendees from organisations
For bookings visit the ICELAB website.
For information visit the Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company Website:
http://www.blueeyedsouldance.com/dance-transformations/
Join our Ning to find out more about the Transformations programme:http://dancetransformations.ning.com


For further information contact
Jenna Blair, Administrative Assistant
T: 01743 210830
E: admin@besdance.com
W: www.besdance.com
Blog: http://blueeyedsouldance.blogspot.com/
Video: www.youtube.com/BlueEyedSoulDance
Twitter: @BESdance
Dance Transformations Online Community: http://dancetransformations.ning.com/