Trailblazer Fellowships

Sheron Wray; Photogrpher Chris Nash

The ADAD Trailblazers Fellowship is an annual professional development programme initiated in 2003 to support UK-based dance artists, practitioners, performers, choreographers, dance teachers and researchers working in the field of dance of the African Diaspora. The programme aims to cultivate excellence in dance of the African Diaspora through investing in training and mentoring for individuals working in the field. The programme is supported by funds from Arts Council England, Trust and Foundations, private organisations as well as individuals.

Trailblazers is delivered in two strands which alternate annually to start each May month:
• Starters supports first time applicants who are at the beginning of their careers, who demonstrate creative spark, ambition and leadership potential. The Starters fellows are chosen from across the UK through open application and interview.
• Champions supports past recipients of the fellowship who have demonstrated strong leadership and entrepreneurial spirit in order to ensure sustained investment in these talented individuals. Champion fellows are chosen by nomination from the Starters Alumni.

Each participant receives

-A bursary towards a project of their choice (£3000 for Champions* and £2000 for Starters)
*Champions must seek match funding or support in kind of a minimum of £1500
-A tailored development programme including training, career coaching, mentoring and peer learning
-A range of networking opportunities
-An opportunity to share their learning in a public showcase

Past awardees of the scheme commented:

‘I will never finish being a Trailblazer. I still have my application form and goals and revisit them’
Akosua Boakye; London Academy Cohort Director, Dance United; Trailblazer 2006/7

‘Everything I am now doing artistically is due to having been a Trailblazer. The scheme fuelled me as an artist, it empowered me and gave me the confidence.’
Vicki Igbokwe; Creative Director, Uchenna Dance; Trailblazer 2007/8

ADAD holds Trailblazers surgeries across UK regions to support those interested to apply for the Starters programme

How to apply?

Trailblazers Starters Guidelines and Criteria

Download

Trailblazers Starters Application

Download

Trailblazers Starters Press Release

Download

Trailblazer Starters Call out.

Do YOU want to be an ADAD Trailblazer?

We are pleased to announce that 2015-16 applications for our ADAD Trailblazers Starters fellowships are open.

ADAD is offering:

A bursary of £2,000.
A tailored programme of training, coaching and mentoring, that will increase skills in leadership, management, entrepreneurship and creativity.

What Is a trailblazer?

An innovative leader in a field; a pioneer.
A person who blazes a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness.

How can I apply?

Trailblazers Starters is open to UK-based dance artists who are working in the field of dance of the African Diaspora, as a dancer, choreographer, teacher or researcher.
Applications are open until March 31^st, 2015.
To apply email us at:
[email protected]

Need advice or help? Come to the Surgery!
Trailblazer Starter Surgeries are informal meetings where potential Trailblazers can get advice on project proposals and are an opportunity to meet and network with past fellows.

Need more information:

Email us at [email protected] for more information, a Starter pack and Application form.
For more information on passed trailblazers and what we are looking for click here.

Supported by Garfield Weston, Fenton Arts Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust and The Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund

In Association with Dance UK

ADAD, Unit A402A, The Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements Road, London SE16 4DG | http://www.adad.org.uk/

Trailblazer Fellowships

How to apply?

Do YOU want to be an ADAD Trailblazer?

We are pleased to announce that 2015-16 applications for our ADAD Trailblazers Starters fellowships are open.

ADAD is offering:

A bursary of £2,000.

A tailored programme of training, coaching and mentoring, that will increase skills in leadership, management, entrepreneurship and creativity.

What Is a trailblazer?

An innovative leader in a field; a pioneer.

A person who blazes a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness.

How can I apply?

Trailblazers Starters is open to UK-based dance artists who are working in the field of dance of the African Diaspora, as a dancer, choreographer, teacher or researcher.

Applications are open until March 31st, 2015.

To apply email us at: [email protected]

Need advice or help? Come to the Surgery!

Trailblazer Starter Surgeries are informal meetings where potential Trailblazers can get advice on project proposals and are an opportunity to meet and network with past fellows.

Applications are open until March 31^st, 2015.

To apply email us at:
[email protected]