QuestLab Network Artist Opportunity

Studio Wayne McGregor is offering an opportunity for eight dance artists from across England to participate in a new artist development programme focusing on intersections between dance and technology. Funded by Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence programme, QuestLab Network will bring together artists with Studio Wayne McGregor’s unique network of world-class researchers, developers, technologists and commercial organisations, leading to the development and delivery of performance and engagement projects around the country.

We are seeking a diverse range of artists with a background in any dance form, at any stage in their career and from across England. Artists should be experienced in or have a demonstrable interest in working with digital technology and should be interested in creating work for their region, and an understanding of their local context and how they might develop projects that address challenges relating to engagement.

The Programme and Support Offered:

Residency
All artists will participate in a two-week residency at Studio Wayne McGregor, which will bring together participating dance artists with individuals and companies involved in digital practice and scientific research and who have an interest in working with artists. The residency will provide practical explorations of technology, working sessions on Intellectual Property and new revenue streams, applications of technology and arts in health and wellbeing, and experiments in technology innovations. During this two-week intensive residency, and at additional network events through the year, each artist will gain insight, build partnerships and networks, and germinate ideas for practical projects they are interested in pursuing.

The eight artists will receive financial support for travel, accommodation and subsistence for the residency.

Mentoring
All artists will take part in at least two mentoring sessions with Wayne McGregor throughout the programme.

Pitching for projects
Following the residency, the eight artists will have the opportunity to pitch an idea to develop into a creative output, of which four will be supported to development. Four selected artists will receive around £8000 in seed money to develop projects that bring together dance and technology to impact on an identified need in their region. These artists will also receive up to four weeks of space at Studio Wayne McGregor to develop their work and a bursary to support travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for themselves and their dancers during that period. Each of the four projects will be designed to be delivered or disseminated in the artist’s home region, focusing on broadening engagement, reaching new audiences, or investigating a particular need or issue.

Timeline:
May 2018 Applications open
June 2018 Recruitment of artists
September 2018 – March 2019 Mentoring by Wayne McGregor
October 22 – November 2 2018 Dance and tech residency
26 – 28 November 2018 Pitch sessions for projects
December 2018 – March 2019 Project development at Studio Wayne McGregor
April – December 2019 Project delivery

To apply:
If you wish to discuss the project further please contact Jasmine Wilson
by email: jasmine@waynemcgregor.com or phone: 020 7278 6015

Please send your CV (please include a relevant referee) with a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining the following:

• How you would benefit from the programme.
• Any previous experience in working with digital technology or why you would be interested in working in this domain.
• Knowledge of your region including information about work you have delivered there; your understanding of any engagement challenges or issues that could be addressed through a dance and technology project.

Please email to jasmine@waynemcgregor.com with a completed Equal Opportunities form by
Monday 11 June 2018

Interviews to be held: w/c 18 June 2018

Studio Wayne McGregor is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.