Dance City, Newcastle, is delighted to announce the commissioning of six new pieces of dance in 2012 – 13, investing a total of at least £100,000 in new work.

This new initiative is designed to stimulate, promote and support the creation of six new dance works in the North East. The dance development agency for the North East is awarding £50,000 of its own funds to the commissioning initiative with awards of between £5,000 and £15,000 issued to each successful artist or company. The contribution from Dance City must be match funded through other sources, bringing the total investment in the creation of new work to at least £100,000. This is one of the largest single investments in the creation of new dance currently being undertaken across the country by a Dance Agency.

At least half of the commissions awarded will be to companies based or originating from the North of England. As well as financial support from Dance City, the successful artists and companies will receive artistic mentoring from the organisation.

Artistic Director of Dance City Anthony Baker said,

I am excited to be announcing our new commission series, which allows us to support dance makers in the North East and beyond in ways we have not been able for a number of years. We want to encourage the making of new dance works in the North East and to premiere them in our fantastic theatre in our building. It is an amazing opportunity for choreographers to be creative and take the audiences of the North East on amazing journeys.

The first of six commissions has been awarded to Lo-Giudice Dance. Anthony Lo-Giudice was previously Associate Artist at Dance City and has been creating work for a number of years, many of which have previously featured in Dance City’s Public Announcement platform. His new piece ROMA is a semi-biographical piece following his journey from Italy and how it has impacted and influenced his life.

Anthony Lo-Giudice said:

I am delighted to receive this commission from Dance City. The support which they have given me over recent years has been central to the development of me as an artist and also the growth of my company, Lo-Giudice Dance. This investment will give me the opportunity to freely develop work that genuinely excites me and I hope audiences in the North East.

North East audiences will get the opportunity see all the pieces commissioned first at Dance City throughout 2012 and early 2013 as part of the Discover season launched this year, giving audiences the chance to see this exciting new work first at the venue.

Dance City is currently seeking expressions of interest from companies and artists who would like to be part of the initiative. Two commissions are being made available by application. For more information and details of how to apply, please contact Alex Anslow, alex.anslow@dancecity.co.uk. Friday 6 April, 5pm will be the deadline for the first round of submissions. It is likely that there will be further opportunities to submit proposals after this date. 

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