Dance City hosted its first ever Artist Soup on Thursday 2 April. The event, originally planned as a live audience event in the Dance City theatre, was quickly reconfigured to an online event following the restrictions on public gatherings due to the coronavirus.

69 people joined online to hear from 11 artists pitching for 4 x £500 micro commissions. Audience members were able to vote for their favourite pitches for three of the micro commissions and a fourth was agreed by a panel of industry experts.

The SOUP audience wish to financially support the following artists and their projects with £500 each:

Adam Russell – LOVE DANCES

A Newcastle-based dance artist, Adam will present LOVE DANCES, a project celebrating many forms of love. The work will explore community love stories reflecting the current coronavirus crisis where we are unable to physically connect with our communities, families and loved ones. In a time of isolation this project celebrates how we can connect, support and love each other through digital technology and gives hope for when we can physically connect again.

Dora Rubenstein – Hold Your Own

Dora and Jane are mother and daughter, both acrobats and aerialists. They are creating Hold Your Own, an interactive workshop/performance exploring family connections through physical communication. Families of all ages will move, play and even fly. Money awarded will help fund further development with local artists in the North East.

Debbie Harbin – Sleep

A multi-sensory digitally forward dance theatre production aimed at age 11+ exploring the effect technology has on sleep. This piece will resonate with and be relevant to all ages. It will stimulate discussion and intends to change usage, encouraging more positive use of technology to enhance our wellbeing.

The SOUP sector panel decided to financially support with £500:

Sophie Halford

An investment opportunity in an early-career creative from the region, supporting her in new forms of professional development, experience and training in the areas of arts administration/management and creative producing. Sophie wants to give back to the sector, be a resource and help make things happen!

The artists who have not been awarded £500 bursaries will be offered a stipend for their pitch preparation and involvement in the event.

The event was supported by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts and Northern Stage.