Infrastructure article…
ADAD News
By Pamela Zigomo, current ADAD Development Manager
It’s a new Season for ADAD!
Over the past thirteen years ADAD has been the main representative voice of Black dance or Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD) within England.
Over the past four years, ADAD have benefited from a mentorship under the Strategic Alliance with Dance UK which has enabled us to initiate key changes and develop as an organisation in skills and experience.
Changes to come
In the next financial year ADAD is working on becoming an independent organisation with the legal structure of a charity and company limited by guarantee. The next five years of activity will see ADAD focusing on consolidating its advocacy role and maintaining the gains made in communications whilst building capacity as a new independent organisation. The vision and mission statements of the organisation have been changed to the following:-
Vision
ADAD is committed to making Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD) visible and valued at the centre of dance practice and appreciation - enhancing its contribution to the social, cultural and educational development of a multi-cultural Britain.
Mission
ADAD exists to support the practice and to enhance the appreciation of Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD), primarily within the subsidised theatrical dance sector.
New places and faces
After over 10 years in the exciting and creative atmosphere of Battersea Arts Centre in Clapham Junction, ADAD has moved offices with Dance UK to another artistic venue, Finsbury Town Hall in Rosebery Avenue in central London.
ADAD is also currently recruiting for a Director and Communications Officer as part of the move towards becoming an independent organisation.
This will be the first time in ADAD’s history that the organisation will have a Director. From the time since ADAD was formed in 1994 till 2004, members of the ADAD Steering Committee, would work on a near voluntary basis in the office dealing with administration, management of the database and production of the quarterly newsletter. ADAD was able to recruit a full time Programme Development Manager in October 2004 and in March 2005 ADAD attained ACE Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) status and increased the staff team with additional part-time administrative and financial support. After the new staff recruitments, ADAD will begin the process of increasing its board members in summer 2007.
Benefits of the Strategic Alliance
The strategic alliance with Dance UK has proved to be extremely beneficial to both parties. During the period of the Strategic Alliance ADAD has re-launched the Hotfoot magazine online, delivered successful forums in London, the North West and South West regions and produced a landmark exhibition; Black Dance in Britain 1930’s …quot; 1990’s Moments... ADAD also improved its communication and branding strategies: producing a new logo, website, an up-to-date promotional brochure and other successfully received profile raising publicity. These activities have revitalised ADAD and provided the opportunity to further focus ADAD activity.
On the other hand Dance UK has gained greater knowledge of dance forms of the African Diaspora and increased contact with professionals working with these dance forms. This has enabled Dance UK to diversify and expand its membership and attendees at mainstream dance events. By providing ADAD’s members with a year’s free membership to Dance UK, Dance UK has been able to raise awareness of the organisation’s work within the African Dance sector.
What will the future hold?
ADAD and Dance UK will continue to work collaboratively during and beyond the exit process to deliver the objectives of the organisation, lay the foundations for future growth and manage expectations of its pivotal role in the dance community. The organisation will also look to nurturing new relationships and find partnerships and to facilitate and support original projects whilst also lobbying on behalf of the sector to continue to enhance both the appreciation of and funding to the Black Dance sector.
As the organisation continues with its restructuring and recruiting of new staff and board members we hope you will continue to support and engage with us in order to achieve ADAD’s core objectives as it positions itself as a valued, respected and essential member of the Dance sector in the UK.
