Arts Council England:
Update on African People's Dance Opportunities for Regular Funding
Background Information
As a result of funding changes in 2004/5, Arts Council England (ACE) had available £1,011,000 to invest in organisations with a focus on developing African People's Dance (APD) in the year 2005/6. Arts Council England defines APD as an inclusive term for all genres of dance which originate from the subcontinent of Africa and across the African Diaspora.
A decision was made at executive level to strategically focus this sizeable investment on APD rather than another area or art-form. Cultural diversity is one of Arts Council England's five aims and their corporate plan (which you can find on the ACE website) sets out to increase the number of Black and Minority Ethnic led organisations as a priority. As it was noted that Black dance has very little infrastructure, the decision was taken to spend the funding in the area of APD.
Following this decision at ACE, applications for regular funding were sought by invitation. A number of factors were taken into account when choosing the organisations invited to submit to this funding opportunity. They included the organisation's strategic role, effective operation methods, track record and contribution to Arts Council England's Ambitions for the Arts. The regular funding offered comprises of a three-year financial commitment by ACE to invest in the artistic activity of the organisation.
Purpose of Awards
The funding awards objectives are to enable the creation and distribution of high quality African People's Dance and ACE has now chosen the organisations it will fund. They each operate effectively under one of the three categories below:
- Making and touring high quality dance productions to tour on small and middle scale regional/national touring circuits.
- Independent producers who are able to develop high quality touring dance productions, festivals and/or platforms.
- Provision of high quality artist/company support services (e.g. provision of professional development programmes, management services, information and networking, advocacy, etc.).
Funding Awardees
From the 18 applicants invited to submit, the following APD organisation were successful in the recent process to secure regular funding:
| Touring Companies | Region |
| African Cultural Exchange | West Midlands |
| Robert Hylton, Urban Classicism | London |
| Kompany Malakhi | South West |
| Tavaziva Dance Company | London |
| Producers | Region |
| Stillbrock Productions | London |
| Benji Reid | North West |
| State of Emergency | South West |
| Support Organisations | Region |
| The Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) | London |
Sakoba Dance Company and Kajans were both added to the portfolio through their regional offices. For more information on Arts Council England and its funding opportunities please call 0845 300 6200 or visit its web site at www.artscouncil.org.uk
