The scheme provides an Associate Dance Artist with an award of £1,000 to undertake an individual professional development programme, and to deliver a project or event as part of Hampshire Dance’s 2011-12 programme. The Associate Artist must be a Hampshire-based dance practitioner committed to developing their career.

The scheme suits artists who work in any dance style and can demonstrate their commitment to developing their particular field of dance practice eg: as a performer, choreographer, teacher or dance manager. It would be suitable for an artist early in their career, or could benefit a more experienced artist.

Selection is made by Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Dance and is assessed on how clearly the application demonstrates the benefit of the scheme to their own professional development and to dance development in Hampshire.

The scheme runs from October to July each year and the Associate Dance Artist is managed by Hampshire Dance’s Artist Development Coordinator.

The 2011/12 Scheme is now closed. Please check the website in February 2012 for next years Scheme dates.

For assistance with completing your application contact

• Tara McKinney - Arts Resources Officer, Hampshire County Council, tel 01962 846024
• Anna Brown - Artist Development Coordinator, Hampshire Dance, tel 023 8065 2712

The Associate Dance Artist Scheme is an open access scheme but all applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria, for which supporting evidence will be required.

1. Applicants to the Scheme must be resident in Hampshire. This means they must reside in a Household that is located in Hampshire County Council’s boundary. This does not include the Unitary Authority areas of Portsmouth or Southampton. You must be a Hampshire resident for the duration of the Scheme, September 2011 to July 2012.
2. If you are not sure if you meet this criteria, please contact the Arts Resources Officer, Hampshire County Council on 01962 846024.
3. Applicants must be over 21 years of age as at 1 October 2011.
4. Applicants must not be in full time education.
5. Applicants must be graduates in dance or a dance related discipline, or be able to evidence experience and skill to an equivalent level.
6. Applicants must be able to commit to the full duration of the Scheme which runs from October 2011 to July 2012.
7. Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 2 September 2011 on the Associate Dance Artist Scheme application form. CVs will not be accepted. Electronic applications are acceptable. Late applications will not be accepted.
8. Applications must be made by the individual wishing to join the scheme. Applications cannot be made by organisations on behalf of several individuals although we do ask for business details where appropriate.
9. Applicants must be able to attend a training and development day on Wednesday 21 September 2011 in Winchester. There will be no other dates offered.
10. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear ambition and commitment to developing their dance skills or area of dance practice and have a clear vision of how they will benefit from this Scheme.
11. As part of the Scheme successful applicants will be required to deliver a project to contribute to part of Hampshire Dance’s Programme, appropriate to their skill level, on a voluntary basis.

Suna Imre

Suna Imre is a dance artist and senior lecturer at Winchester University. Specialising in improvisation that comes from the application of somatic dance practices, Suna collaborates with a diverse range of artists to create interdisciplinary performances and projects that are often site specific.

Suna has been involved in Contact Improvisation for over 15 years and has recently set up Contact Improvisation workshops and jams in Hampshire. As an Associate Dance Artist with Hampshire Dance, Suna intends to train to an advanced level in Contact Improvisation so that she can nurture and sustain a vibrant Contact scene in the County and utilise the skills attained to further her artistic practice.

Charlotte Sapey

Charlie graduated from the University of Winchester in 2008. Whilst studying, her degree allowed her to develop skills in integrated dance. In 2009, Charlie set up Integr8 Dance after being awarded the ‘Business Start-Up Scheme Award’ by the University of Winchester. Over the last 2 years the company has expanded, now making dance accessible for people of all ages, who never thought they would have the chance to experience it. Charlie made it to the Top 40 of ‘Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneurs’ and has recently been shortlisted for ‘Winchester Entrepreneur of the Year’.

Integr8 Dance works closely with main stream and special schools, as well as education centres. The company regularly leads community projects; taking groups of young people and giving them high quality dance training, as well providing opportunities to perform and develop key life skills. Integrated dance work is still central to everything they do, and every child is always welcome to dance.

Charlie intends to use the Associate Dance Artist position to develop the quality of her artistic practice with vunerable groups, with a placement within a disability dance company.  Alongside this, Charlie will be focusing on her business skills as well as developing as a dancer in different styles of street dance.

Charlie’s dream is to have a dance studio space, where people of all ages and abilities can come and experience dance together.