The Talent Hub, a professional development programme for dance artists with a learning disability, autism or both living in the North East and Yorkshire, launches today, 1 March 2018.
The programme is backed by TIN Arts, an inclusive dance organisation based in Durham City, and Yorkshire Dance, the Leeds-based dance development organisation, and is supported by Inclusion North, an organisation dedicated to making inclusion real for all people with a learning disability and their families.
For two months, the Talent Hub will be accepting applications from dancers living in Yorkshire and the North East of England who’d like to “Join George” - George Williams, from Thornaby in Stockton-on-Tees, who has worked with TIN Arts for several years. He was the first dancer with a severe learning disability to perform with the National Youth Dance Company and he has been appointed as the first member of the Talent Hub.
The programme, funded by a grant of £390,000 for Arts Council England and with the support of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, will offer ten talented dancers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch their careers as dance performer, dance maker and dance leader.
The Talent Hub aims to enable dancers with a learning disability, autism or both to progress professionally into dance companies or emerge as independent dance artists.
The Talent Hub is looking for people who:
- Have a learning disability, autism or both – with or without other disabilities.
- Are aged 18 or over on 1 July 2018.
- Live in the North East of England or Yorkshire, although those living outside this area may be considered as part of the recruitment process under special circumstances.
- Are passionate about dance and interested in developing a career in dance. They may wish to be a dance performer or be keen to develop their own dance performance work. They may have done some dance training but need access to further training and focused support to enable progression.
There is no cost to join the Talent Hub. When the company comes together for residencies, all accommodation and food will be provided free of charge, and support can be given to undertake journeys to and from each location.
Full details of the two-year programme, FAQs and how to apply can be found on the Talent Hub website.