Richard Chappell Dance: Supporting Acts

Jerwood Foundation has awarded a grant of £10,000 to Richard Chappell Dance, towards Supporting Acts. This programme will facilitate the creation of new work by four early career choreographers through bespoke commissioning, residency, mentoring and programming.

 

Supporting Acts programme will empower dance makers to deepen their creative practice and develop their artistic voices. Each artist will be encouraged to continue their learning by identifying their artistic values and strategic focuses in partnership development, fundraising, technical theatre, dramaturgy and financial monitoring. The programme will upscale each artist's practice to think boldly about the development of their artistic voices in accessible and sustainable ways.

Taking inspiration from the music industry’s approach, each commissioned artist will create new work that will open Richard Chappell Dance’s Amplify programme at the Drum Theatre Royal Plymouth, Sterts Theatre Cornwall, Ashburton Arts Centre and the House at Arts Institute Plymouth. Alongside the performances, artists will also lead unique participatory programmes across the Southwest, reflecting upon the focus of their new creations while fostering meaningful engagement with local communities.

Two commissions designed for rural and small-scale theatres have been assigned to Devon based artists, Willa Faulkner and Malin Kvist. A call out has been released to find a further two artists, one to focus on outdoor performance for programming at Sterts Theatre Cornwall and another to create work for a mid-scale theatre to be performed at the House at Arts Institute Plymouth. Each choreographer will receive a commission fee plus a range of mentoring support form Richard Chappell Dance. One selected artist will be given the opportunity to respond to work from Jerwood Collection through their commission, in a way which resonates artistically with them, through their choreography.

 

Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee Jerwood Foundation said.

Jerwood Foundation is delighted to award a £10,000 grant to Richard Chappell Dance, enabling four early career choreographers the opportunity to make a critical step change in their practice through the development of individual work. The commissioning opportunity will also offer one early career choreographer the opportunity to respond to modern and contemporary art held in Jerwood Collection through their choreography.

 

Richard Chappell, Artistic Director, Richard Chappell Dance said.

Supporting Acts proactively responds to barriers I felt in my early career. We will cater each commission to each artist’s individual needs and appetites for their work, whilst directly responding to the gaps in dance provision for new work to be created. We will encourage each artist to be bold and curious. The programme is designed to uplift artists through the full process of conceiving a work to premiere. We are thrilled and grateful to create these significant step changes for artists with the generous support from Jerwood Foundation.

For further Information please visit Richard Chappell Dance

 

 

 

December 3, 2024