Article by:
Philippa May
Having secured more than £150,000 of funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England, 2Faced Dance Company announces Year 2 of The BENCH – a groundbreaking initiative which aims to innovate the sector and Outlands (a sister project run by the company as part of Arts Council England’s Reimagine India fund).
The projects have been developed by the company in direct response to serious concerns about the lack of equality currently faced by female choreographers within the dance sector.
The second year of The BENCH will see the recruitment of seven female choreographers to join the programme for nine months of training, discussions, debates and mentoring and to pitch for a number of commissions to support a forthcoming artistic production.
Tamsin Fitzgerald, choreographer, artistic director of 2Faced Dance Company and founder of The BENCH has commented: “Year two of The BENCH marks a significant development for female choreographers globally. With much-needed support from Arts Council England’s Reimagine India fund and Esmée Fairbairn, we are delighted to be able to offer more opportunities for women across the world and increase awareness of the barriers that women face within the industry."
"The UK has many incredible, eloquent and talented women whose choreographic voices are just not being heard or seen. The BENCH explores and unpicks some of the issues surrounding women as creators, whilst also putting talent and creation at the forefront." Fitzgerald has said.
Applications from UK based, mid-career female choreographers (working in any genre) to
this unique career development programme are now open. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 26th August 2016.
For more information about the programme and to apply, visit www.the-bench.org
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