Dance is an artform than can speak to people and touch souls. It can tell stories, evoke emotions and captivate audiences. From simple steps to intricate moves and choreography it comes in many different forms. It can bring people together, be used to share culture, celebrate and have fun. Great for physical and mental health it is for all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Liverpool’s dance sector has long been an integral part of its identity and creativity and over the years we have witnessed a variety of brilliant dance programming in the city.
The recent closure of a dance agency has resulted in a reduction in dance programming, opportunities for dance artists and practitioners, funding, and partnership support as well as an absence of a cohesive strategy for dance across Liverpool.
As a way to support and address these challenges Culture Liverpool, along with Liverpool City Council, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, are pleased to be supporting a new transformative initiative. Liverpool Dances is a research and development endeavour, led by former dancer, choreographer and current senior arts and cultural leader David Watson, dedicated to unravelling the vibrant tapestry of dance in Liverpool to shape a new, impactful and sustainable future for the city’s dance sector.
The initiative adopts a holistic approach to understanding Liverpool’s dance sector. It seeks to delve deep into the pulse of the city’s dance scene, uncovering challenges, identifying the needs of dance organisations, artists, practitioners, students, and audiences. It also involves engaging with a wide array of arts, heritage, and cultural organisations, schools, colleges, and universities that can and do contributable to the dance ecology.
The primary goal of Liverpool Dances is to identify what changes are needed and set out a way to bring about significant improvements in the city’s dance sector. By maximising opportunities for professional training, securing consistent and well-paid opportunities for artists, and providing high-quality dance activities for audiences of all ages and abilities, the initiative aims to enhance Liverpool’s effectiveness as a cultural city.
Once the research and analysis is concluded, Liverpool Dances will publish its findings, highlighting key opportunities and plans for realising them. The initiative aspires to usher in a new frontier for dance in Liverpool, supported by the community, and contributing to the city’s reputation as the premiere destination for arts and culture.
This collective exploration invites everyone – dance enthusiasts, artists, choreographers, teachers, organisations and groups – to be an integral part of Liverpool’s dance narrative.
As a starting point, you can have your say, by completing the relevant surveys as detailed below. To find all the latest ways to engage in this initiative head to liverpooldances.co.uk.
Audiences Survey
This survey is for audiences based in Liverpool that watch dance performances (in any setting) and/or participate in dance-related activity such as classes, workshops or community projects.
Complete survey here.
Closes: Sunday 10 March 2024, 12 noon.
Organisations & Groups
This survey is for dance organisations and groups as well as arts, cultural and heritage organisations in Liverpool that may or may not programme dance related activity.
Complete survey here.
Closes: Sunday 10 March 2024, 12 noon.
Artists & Practitioners
This survey is for working dance artists and practitioners in Liverpool. By ‘practitioner’ we mean choreographers, movement directors, teachers and animateurs.
Complete survey here.
Closes: Sunday 10 March 2024, 12 noon.
Students
This survey is for current dance students in Liverpool undertaking courses that are either in-part or wholly dance focused.
Complete survey here.
Closes: Sunday 10 March 2024, 12 noon.
