Dance South West

Activates Programme of work is divided into five core areas of work

Activating Support Services

Activate is on hand to help. Each year we respond to a broad range of requests from individuals, companies and local authorities. We produce a newsletter which highlights events and opportunities available in the area, maintain a database of freelance artists, teachers and practitioners qualified to deliver dance and theatre activity.

Activating Participation

Our programme to increase opportunities and access to dance and theatre for the community, regardless of age, ability or previous experience. Every year, Activate delivers a series of projects from intergenerational workshops to working with the Gurkha community at the local army camp, from working with the county sports partnership to a week-long residential summer school.

Activating Professional Development

We have DanceNET and Theatre Opportunities. DanceNET is the dancers network of professional development initiatives which includes training in dance, business skills, management and promotional support, as well as forums. Theatre Opportunities is currently an e-news update of opportunities for theatre practitioners, which will develop into a similar network to DanceNET

Activating Audiences

Activate does not work alone. It has strong links to the professional promoters of dance and theatre performance locally. Through the Promoters Consortium, Dorset Arts Promoters Forum, Bournemouth and Poole promoters and Arts Development teams, we raise the profile of dance and theatre and work with venues to promote and present an entertaining and challenging mix of professional work.

Activating Production

Activate supports the creation of new work in the county. We are particularly interested in helping develop work by artists based locally. This includes commissioning, mentoring, advice and guidance, as well as platforms and partnership projects with venues and other development agencies.

We have formulated three areas of focus over the next three years.

• The Cultural Olympiad and the Jurassic Coast.
• Young people.
• Supporting artists, producers and programmers.

Core Staff

Kate Wood – Director
Rosalind Conlon and Aurore Le Quere - Dance Development Co-ordinators job share
Natasha Player – Return to Dancing Nepal / Performing Pathways Project Manager
Lorna Rees – Theatre Development Co-ordinator
Antonia Beck – Senior Administrator
Jenny Gordon – Cultural Hub Project Manager
Simon Chatterton/Bill Gee – Co-Programme Directors Inside Out