We’re delighted to announce the three artists taking part in our new commissions programme, designed in collaboration with Moving Art Management (MAM) to support the creation of new live performance work by local dance makers.
Congratulations to Kate Stanforth, Payal Ramchandani and Rosie Macari, who will be developing their ideas for new dance works through the programme.
Each artist will be supported with a £3,000 commission fee, use of Dance City’s rehearsal space, producing and development support from Moving Art Management & Dance City, and the chance to share their work at the next Move: In Progress – a programmed scratch platform opportunity in Dance City’s theatre.
MAM Director, Rachel Jean Birch, said:
The standard of applications was exceptional, making these commissions incredibly difficult to award. But these artists demonstrated not only exciting ideas, but a clear sense of how this opportunity could act as a catalyst for their practice.
They represent the ethos of the North East, with projects that are bold, socially relevant, and deeply rooted in collaboration, community and artistic ambition. We can’t wait to see their ideas evolve.
Interim CEO at Dance City, Jim Hollington, said:
Supporting artists at all stages of their creative development is vital to the future of dance. We are thrilled to be working alongside Moving Art Management to invest in these three exceptional artists, providing the time, space and support they need to explore new ideas. Their work represents the innovation, diversity and ambition that make the North East such an exciting place for dance.”
Kate Stanforth
Kate is a disabled dance artist, choreographer and founder of Kate Stanforth Academy of Arts. An ambulatory wheelchair user and former ballet student, her work explores disability, access and care through dance and theatre. Kate is currently working with organisations such as The Royal Ballet School, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
“I’m incredibly excited to be creating my first scratch dance-theatre piece about care and my relationship with the carers who support me. Care shapes so much of my life and my experience of dance and bringing carers into the piece as commissioned collaborators feels really special. I’m incredibly excited to explore the people who make so much possible.”
Payal Ramchandani
Payal is a dance artist and choreographer based in Newcastle. Her practice is rooted in the Indian classical dance style of Kuchipudi – she is one of a small number of practitioners working with it in the UK, and the only one in the North East. Pushing the boundaries of classicism, she works across artistic disciplines, and her work thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration.
“This commission offers the thing early-stage work most needs: protected time to think in the body. It’s a work about how caste and colour live in the body, the biases we absorb and carry without noticing, and the inversions that hold them in place, in a society that pushes those it depends on to the edge. To have backing at this fragile, formative stage is immensely meaningful, and a real stepping stone towards the fuller work ahead.”
Photo credit: Amelia Read
Rosie Macari
Rosie is a dance artist, choreographer and aerial practitioner. She has performed across theatre, dance and aerial contexts, throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. Her choreographic practice is rooted in physicality using height with dance movement and storytelling to create work that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected. Aetherbound has been developing over the past year through research, training and support from a number of incredible partners, and this commission feels like an important next step in its journey towards full production and touring. I’m excited to expand and create opportunities for people to experience and engage with aerial dance while contributing to the North East’s growing creative landscape.”
Gateshead-based artist Ziza Ngabonziza Patrick joined the artist selection panel for this process, and said:
It’s been refreshing to see the level of quality work that’s circulating in the region. It makes me hopeful and excited to be part of an artistic and creative community that continues to work hard to thrive in unfavourable conditions, where resources are scarce.
Opportunities are increasingly becoming rare and challenging to obtain, and it’s promising that a commission like this offers financial help and support to sustain creative work in our region.
Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these commissions!
These commissions are funded by Arts Council England, Moving Art Management and Dance City.
