The Dance City and Gillian Dickinson Trust Residency/Commission

An open call out and invitation to be at home at Dance City

The Dance City and Gillian Dickinson Trust Residency/Commission is a three-year programme during which six artists or companies, two each year, will embed their practice within the thriving dance community in the North East of England. During each residency period, the commissioned artists will not only take advantage of Dance City’s studios and theatre to develop new ideas and present new works, but also engage with Dance City’s communities, including professionals, students, audiences and participants across the region.

Dance City’s Vision:

Believing in the power of dance to invigorate people and communities, and for dance to hold a special place in people’s hearts.  

Dance City’s Mission:

For the North East to be the best place to dance and experience dance.  

The Gillian Dickinson Trust supports charities in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham and aims to promote creativity in young people.

The Offer:

Two opportunities are available, both taking place in 2024. Each artist will be provided with funds, space and staff support to work with students, connect with the artistic community and to develop their work to be ‘presentation ready’ by the end of the commission.

Each commissioned artist will be awarded £20,000 and the following in-kind support: 

  • Producing support for any desired wraparound activity. 
  • Marketing support for any wraparound activity. 
  • Up to four weeks of rehearsal space, including at least one week in Dance City’s Theatre (Monday – Friday, or as arranged). 
  • Marketing support for the final presentation of the preview performance or premiere. 
  • Technical support for up to two weeks to support the presentation of the preview performance or premiere

Each commissioned artist will be awarded £20,000 and the following in-kind support: 

  • Producing support for any desired wraparound activity. 
  • Marketing support for any wraparound activity. 
  • Up to four weeks of rehearsal space, including at least one week in Dance City’s Theatre (Monday – Friday, or as arranged). 
  • Marketing support for the final presentation of the preview performance or premiere. 
  • Technical support for up to two weeks to support the presentation of the preview performance or premiere. 

The commission fee is inclusive of this work and all expenses incurred by the artists and companies during their stay and inclusive of VAT.  

Dance City can support in finding appropriate travel and accommodation options. 

The different departments within Dance City are working closely together so the residency enables an artist to spend time working with the Centre for Advanced Training Programme, the BA (Hons) Professional Dance Programme and the Professional Artist Development Programme across 3-4 weeks, as detailed in the schedule below.  

“Loved all the sessions with Richard Chappell, and the chance to work with different artists that are in and out of the building as well, we’ve now developed a new professional relationship as well which is really nice something we can carry on.”  

– Quote from Year 3 Degree Student 

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking a total of two artists or companies for 2024. These artists/companies will have the following attributes: 

  • You are an artist/company and your practice is based in dance, movement or choreography. 
  • You are aged 18 or above.  
  • For this round of commissioning, we are seeking applications from people of marginalised genders including women, non-binary people, and trans men and women. We are particularly looking to support artists who are: 
    • LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual +), Global Majority Heritage,  Neurodivergent, Disabled
  • Artists/companies with a track record of offering quality learning experiences, and with existing producing support for partnerships, marketing and management. 
  • Artists/companies that will take this opportunity to further develop a work which has already undergone a research and/or development period. We expect the work to be in its final phase toward presentation by the time you arrive at Dance City. 
  • At least one of these artists will be based in the North of England. 

Dance City wants to work with artists to ensure that what is created here has a life beyond Dance City, and relationships with us are ongoing. The commission will be suited to artists and companies who have existing networks on which to build partnerships; Dance City is also able to support with brokering partnerships if required.  

Dates and Details Residency/Commission 1- Spring 2024

  • Weeks Commencing 15, 22, 29 January:   BA Residency working for three weeks with final-year undergraduate students to realise a minimum 15-minute work suitable for theatres and school settings.
  • Week Commencing 5 February:   A bespoke week of engaging with the Public and the Professional Artist Community via workshops, talks and/or professional classes designed and agreed upon between the artist and Dance City Producer. Approximately 5 hours of activity.
  • Saturday 10 February:   Workshop with Contemporary CAT Students aged 10-14yrs x3 groups 1 – 5pm, 1hr each. 
  • Sunday 11 February:   Workshop with Contemporary CAT Students aged 14-18yrs x 3 groups 11am – 5pm, 1.5hr each 
  • Week Commencing 12 and 19 February:    Rehearsals of artist/company’s work in the studio. 
  • Weeks commencing 26 February and 4 March:   Development and production of artist/company’s work in the Theatre with a Preview Performance or Premiere of the work on the 8 March 2024.


Residency/Commission 2 – Summer 2024: 

  • Week Commencing 1 April (Tuesday 2 April – Friday 5 April due to bank holiday):  CAT Intensive with Contemporary students 10am – 5pm. Daily technique and creative sessions culminating in a new dance piece that is no longer than 10 minutes. 
  • Week Commencing 13 May:   BA Residency: with 1st or 2nd year undergraduate students to realise a minimum 8-minute work suitable for Dance City’s theatre. 
  • Week Commencing 20 May: 
  • A bespoke week for engaging with the Public via workshops, talks or classes designed and agreed upon between the artist and Dance City Producer. Approximately 5 hours of activity. 
  • Thursday 23 May:
  • CAT Workshop with mix of students aged 10-18years. One or two 1.5 hour sessions TBC depending on group size, 5pm – 6:30pm or 5pm – 6:30pm and 6:30pm – 8pm 
  • Week Commencing 27 May:  
  • A bespoke week of Professional Artist workshops, talks and/or professional classes designed and agreed upon between the artist and Dance City Producer. Approximately 5 hours of activity.
  • Week Commencing 3 and 10 June:    Rehearsals of artist/company’s work in the studio.
  • Weeks commencing 17 and 24 June:   Development and production of artist/company’s work in the Theatre with a Preview or Premiere of the work on the 28 June 2024

We have set out these dates to provide structure for work internally and for applicants to consider. Detailed conversation will take place with successful applicants to ensure that these dates work for both Dance City and the artist/company. 

Get to know Dance City better:

Please take a look around Dance City’s purpose-built building by taking this 3D tour, click here.

There is also lots of information about the organisation and each of the departments on our About Us page. We sincerely want this to be the right opportunity for applicants as well as for us. 

If you would like to apply:

Please click on the link below and complete the application form by 10am Monday 3 July 2023. You will be notified about your application by Monday 10 July. Interviews will be on Thursday 13 or Friday 14 July 2023 and the outcome of these interviews will be shared week commencing 17 July 2023. 

If you prefer to complete a word version of the application form, please email alex.anslow@dancecity.co.uk

If you prefer to create a video or audio to answer the questions please send via WeTransfer to alex.anslow@dancecity.co.uk. Please cover all of the questions in the form in 15 minutes. 

If you have any questions or need support from a member of the Dance City team please contact Alex Anslow via email alex.anslow@dancecity.co.uk or via telephone 0191 269 5586.