Introducing one of our volunteer dance reviewers, Poppy O'Reilly:
Since graduating from London Studio Centre with a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance in 2016, Poppy has returned to Devon to explore a career in teaching and dance journalism. In addition to this she spends her time coaching sports, rock climbing ... Read More
Dance in Devon is currently unable to continue operating because of a lack of sustained organisational funding. This is despite recent successful funding applications and commissions for projects, which cannot now go ahead without sufficient funds to cover core costs and staffing.
Sadly, for Dance in Devon there is no option but for the organisation to pause operations from the end of February for a period of 6 months while the Board considers future options.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has ‘danced’ with us over the years!
For the full announcement, please click here.
WE DANCE TOGETHER
Dance in Devon works towards a just society free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. At the heart of our vision is a flourishing dance democracy that enables inspiring art: supporting individual and shared expression and challenging historic barriers to participation. We work to create spaces that value individual voices and that enable everyone to be seen and heard.
Dance in Devon treats all people with dignity and respect. We also accept that some groups and/or individuals are denied equality on the grounds of race, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability, gender reassignment, age, social class, sexual orientation and religion/belief or other factors. We recognise our moral and social responsibilities to go beyond the provisions of legal Acts and Regulations, to support and contribute to the wider process of social change through all aspects of our work to eliminate discrimination and promote equality, inclusivity, accessibility and diversity.
We understand that there are difficult conversations to be had in order to build a better and more inclusive society. We want to speak up, open up spaces in a way that facilitates these conversations, and be more active within our communities to explore and debate these issues in a spirit of mutual respect.
OUR STATEMENT
Dance in Devon stands in solidarity with anti-racism movements across the world, such as Black Lives Matter, in the fight against systemic racism and oppression against anyone marginalised for who they are. We condemn the violence and injustices affecting the global majority population. It is a human right to receive racial equality, social and criminal justice. We commit to educate ourselves, listen more, do better, and speak up in the face of attacks on humanity.
We commit to being rigorous with our own organisational practices and addressing inequalities that result from systemic and institutional racism. We acknowledge our responsibility to continue building initiatives that address this and the work we need to initiate to achieve this. We encourage our communities of artists, practitioners, participants, staff and trustees, to challenge racism where it is witnessed, protest in solidarity, read and learn and to donate to funds supporting this cause.
Our Passion Projects
Inclusive creative dance and movement sessions for children and their families across Devon.
Dance classes to improve confidence, strength and balance of older people at risk of falling
Supporting Artists
Plymouth Dance and Dance in Devon are pleased to announce that we have both received Arts Council Emergency Response funding.
Hall For Cornwall, Plymouth Dance and Dance in Devon have worked closely since 2010 to proactively support freelance dance artists who live and/or work in Cornwall, Plymouth & Devon. … Read More
To all our communities, partners, artists and supporters, we hope you are keeping safe and well in these unsettling and challenging times.
The Dance in Devon staff are now working from home and all of our face to face delivery has … Read More
Shall We Dance?
We are looking for volunteers and emerging practitioners to support dance leaders delivering inclusive dance sessions with learning disabled children and young people aged 5-18 in schools in Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple. As part of the project Shall … Read More
Young Choreographers South West is a scheme open to young people aged 18-25 from the South West who are passionate about creating dance for performance or participation, who love to be challenged and inspired and to meet internationally renowned choreographers.
Over … Read More
Network. Discuss. IgniteAboutCreative Conversation is a forum for discussion where we interrogate an issue, theme or focus on practice in relation to the dance sector, looking at the context in Devon and national dance community. These events are designed to … Read More
AboutDance cafe offers an informal drop-in for dance artists at one of our Devon bases for Dance. We would love to meet local dance artists and hear more about what you do. Whether you want to share an idea, talk … Read More
Latest News and Stories
Last chance to register! If you would like to join our online consultations next week please make sure you register by 4th April through our Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-west-dance-sector-online-consultation-tickets-297899002937?fbclid=Iw...
If you can’t attend but would still like to add your thoughts to the conversation please use this Google Form:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyQ_wkATlwaa9pOGaD13Ly-DfOAQoC2X6pw2MnWbm_9XW6Mw/viewform
3 months ago
Comment on Facebook Last chance to ...
Hello DID just wanted to send apologies as I can't make either of those times sadly. X
We want to thank you all for your supportive comments in response to our and Plymouth Dance’s announcement earlier this week.
It means a lot to hear your voices. Please do sign up to our online consultations in early April so we can discuss how dance might take its next steps in Devon and Plymouth.
Thankyou
Dance in Devon & Plymouth Dance - Online Consultation
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Join the conversation "What is needed now to support a thriving dance ecology going forward in Devon and Plymouth?"3 months ago
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dance in Devon and Plymouth Dance are currently unable to continue operating because of a lack of sustained organisational funding. This is despite recent successful funding applications and commissions for projects, which cannot now go ahead without sufficient funds to cover core costs and staffing.
Sadly, for Dance in Devon there is no option but for the organisation to pause operations from the end of February for a period of 6 months while the Board considers future options. Plymouth Dance will cease operating from the end of July 2022.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has ‘danced’ with us over the years!
For full announcement, please click here: danceindevon.org.uk/statement2022/
***
We invite you to contribute to a conversation to gather your views on what is needed to support a thriving dance ecology going forward in Devon and Plymouth. The online consultations will be held on Tue 5th April at 10:30am and Wed 6th April at 6:30pm, please register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-west-dance-sector-online-consultation-tickets-297899002937
You are also welcome to contribute to the conversation via our Google Form: forms.gle/sjdZtYZtoNmdLChK6
4 months ago
Comment on Facebook ANNOUNCEMENT Dance...
Thank you to everyone for your supportive comments. If you would like to share any further comments or thoughts, we encourage you to: Sign up for our consultation events: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-west-dance-sector-online-consultation-tickets-297899002937 Contribute to our Google Form: forms.gle/sjdZtYZtoNmdLChK6
I volunteer for a CIC and we are finding the same. Grant funders want projects without understanding that what we need is funding to make us sustainable. We don't want to keep having to do new work to stay afloat.. we want to consolidate and be able to deliver our core services to clients.
This is really sad news . I salute both organisations. Thank you so much for your work over the years. Xx
Deeply deeply saddened to hear this news. An incredible organisation with such a strong track record. Sending all my hopes and wishes it becomes possible to forge a way forward.
Sorry to hear this, it’s a massive loss to the region. You’ve done incredible, valuable work over the years. Thank you
I'm really sorry to hear this, and for the sad and short sighted state of arts funding generally.
I have commented on several posts. Very shortsighted and disappointing.The legacy of these grassroots agencies is huge. Investing in creative futures, offering all children the opportunities to explore their potential. I mean every child That’s the legacy, not bells and whistles projects.
This is deeply sad news. Thank you for all the incredible work you have done, the hundreds of artists you have supported and the thousands of audiences and participants you have brought joy to.
I've been so sad to hear this news. Dance in Devon deliver an amazing programme, making dance available to such a broad group of people. A rich resource in this outlying area ❤️
This is sad to hear. As a local dance leader, running a Totnes based community group delivering dance we’ve had lots of support from Dance in Devon. We’d love to help think of ideas and give feedback xxx
This is dreadful news. I do so hope you can find supportive partners, funders etc. and arise stronger and secure in the not too distant future. X
In sympathy and solidarity with your struggle. Wishing you good fortune in finding funders, allies and strategies so that you can continue.
Can’t really articulate how sad this is and what a massive loss it is for the dance ecology in Devon. There has been so much love, passion, knowledge and innovation poured into both companies. I had a really wonderful time producing community projects and supporting artists with Dance in Devon. I learnt so much on the job and from so many awesome colleagues. And always enjoyed innovative and supportive working practices that allowed me to keep working alongside a new journey into motherhood.
I’m devastated to hear this. Let me know what I can practically do to help June Gamble! Happy to write letters etc I’m just not free to join the events as crushed under my own never ending admin grind….
This is a gutting loss to arts in the area. Dance in Devon are an amazing and important organisation for the community aswell as us artists who often feel stuck out on a limb here in Devon. A life line in fact. You have provided myself and many others with incredibly valuable opportunities and support which has been integral to where I am now in my work. If there is a way, I will put my name down to contribute to supporting you. Very very sad about this news xxx Much love and gratitude to you all
So sad this has happened. We must do what we can to keep Dance in Devon and Plymouth Dance going. Thank you for giving us so many years and so much support.
Sadness and support for dance going forward. A huge thank you for everything in the past. You have been there for my children, myself and for my schools over the decades.
I am really sorry to hear this! I have been supported by Dance in Devon for many of my projects! I hope this is only a temporary pause ! xxxx
Totally dismayed at the news. Having worked collectively for Dance in Devon and Plymouth Dance in many different capacities for almost 20 years, and been a part of the incredible and varied work these two creative and innovative dance organisations have created and delivered across Plymouth and Devon, it is a travesty this has happened. I hope new things will evolve in time and I am more than happy to be part of a collective voice to help support potential solutions moving forward. A HUGE THANK YOU to both organisations for all your amazing commitment, and passion over the years and enabling a thriving community of dance across Plymouth and Devon.
This is so sad. Dance in Devon has enabled so many local practitioners to develop and create in Devon. Such organisations are just fundamental to art reaching a broader community
This is really sad news, gutted to hear this. Such fond memories of working together over the years. If we can do anything to help… xx
Really hoping you'll find a way to re-start DiD... I have loved the dance you have made possible in care homes and on the doorsteps of the elderly and housebound!
This is very sad to hear as I know of so many people that have benefited from the work Dance in Devon do. I sincerely hope there is a way forward to keep dance thriving in Devon.
This is so sad news. We need to do something about it!! Dance must continue!
Echoing many of the words here. I'm sorry to read this. Only this morning I had a question to ask Dance in Devon and realise there isn't anyone to phone. I've had many conversations with Dance in Devon over the years, each director doing their best to build and sustain a network for artists and a programme of activity in a large region. It takes time time time to grow those connections, you simply can't put a price on that.
The Dance Review
