H.A.N.D.S (Helping, artists, needs, develop, sustainably) was a 2 year mentoring programme working with 9 diverse-led emerging small-scale touring companies.
The activity built on a Pitching & Mentoring initiative across 6 rural touring schemes that ended in 2020 and took place throughout 2021-2023.
The HANDS programme supported companies to:
Build a sustainable and resilient touring model
Develop new work for community venues and libraries
Develop innovative and flexible approaches to presenting work
Enhance artistic practice and produce high quality and adventurous work
Support artists to adapt work for live and online settings
This was achieved through:
Allocation of a specific RTS mentor for each company
Workshops and 1-2-1 sessions with industry mentors and experienced rural touring artists/companies
Commissioning online resources
Training in pitching and mentoring, marketing, bid writing and audience engagement
Training in covid 19 compliance (if necessary/relevant)
Artist residencies in rural venues
Providing experience of showcasing work to RT promoters (inc at Conversations event at Burnley Mechanics June 2023)
Rural touring schemes and rural arts organisations have championed the North of England for decades. However, in 1996 there was a step change following the development of the UK Government’s Lottery fund. The emerging National Rural Touring Forum was successful in a 3 year Arts for Everyone grant, enabling several fledgling schemes across England to receive 3 year revenue grant funding and start to develop their touring offer, this included Spot On Lancashire and Cheshire Rural Touring Arts. Spread out far and wide across the north, many of the schemes were run by sole employees or freelancers; so they formed a professional network, supporting each other in their work and sharing ideas and touring suggestions. As one rural touring manager recalls: “it was the era when the internet loaded one line at a time and companies sent their tour offers to us by post”
The Northern Consortium’s first joint project, Boundaries (2000) was supported by Millenium lottery funding. Highlights, On Tour and Spot On toured three new commissions across North Yorkshire, the North Pennines and Lancashire. Between them, RJC dance, Off Beat Tales and Talia Theatre delivered 40 performances. We made a VHS video documentary. “When you see two very elderly ladies (80s/90s) turn out to one of our events within walking distance from home when they would have been alone at home with a TV, it makes it all worthwhile” Rural Promoter
“One lady, not
habitually a theatre goer, went out of her way to say how it had given her a
new view of life for Asian communities”. Rural Promoter
Our collaborative commissioning continued on to the
International Village of Culture (2009) a legacy project from
Newcastle/Gateshead City of Culture bid and produced in partnership with NRTF.
The consortium jointly commission Grand Theatre of Lemmings and Dodgy Clutch to
make new work for touring, and brought in to the north from the Baltic
countries Dautenis (Poland), Akseli Klonk (Finland), Ro:Toro (Estonia) and
Frikar Dance (Norway). Documentary films were produced. This time on DVD.
This continued through to our ongoing mentoring work
reflecting our joint commitment to high quality diverse, relevant and excellent
shows for rural and community spaces- building long term relationships with
companies, developing awareness of rural touring and strengthening partnerships
with consortium members and the wider touring sector.
Aside from keeping busy commissioning, the Consortium has developed a long and deep partnership with the Atlantic Presenters Association in Maritime Canada. This began in 2004 led by scheme manager Gail Ferrin with other northern partners connecting over the years. We began regular trips to the Maritimes to the annual Contact East showcase, seeking artists for touring to the North. All supported by Canada Heritage. Our first block tour was Arcadian dance/music company Barachois (2001), led by Get Moving, Highlights, Spot On. Then there was no stopping us: Pavlo (2007), The Polyjesters from Alberta touring 2006 and 2008 and managing 50 dates, a tour baby (!) and even now many promoters ask us when they would return, they provided such incredible memories for our rural audiences. Chuck and Albert (from Barachois) returned in 2007 and 2009 (25 dates) returning again in 2011 and likewise Ontarian dance company Motus O managed 25 dates in 2006 and 2009. Fitting fabulous dance into the most challenging of rural spaces. Then it was Oddville and Susannah Hamnet (who returned in 2022). In 2014 Bon Debarras and in 2015 we managed Ian Sherwood, Miss Caledonia, The Fugitives and finally Theatre of Newfoundland. Continuing in 2016, Woody Holler, Rebecca Perry, Red Moon Road and Ian Sherwood.
Dance Across the North
Dance Across the North was a project we
successfully managed thanks to ACE’s Strategic Touring funding, and was
a joint enterprise with Balbir Singh Dance Company. The year-long tour of dance
around community centres, market places and small venues in the north is an
example of how we have planned to increase the number and range of people we work with.
Our ambition was not only to programme excellent dance and music performances
and workshops with Balbir’s company but also to bring the work to an extended
audience, some of whom may not have attended events before. In addition to the
public small scale events we worked with young people and linked flashmob
events to public performances and the attendant workshops. The project engaged
with many people across the North and we reached out to people outside the
‘highly engaged’ segments as defined in the ACE’s research. This project
reported in 2017 and the film, short video, full evaluation report and summary
report was shared extensively and contributed to the NRTF’s Rural Touring Dance
Initiative 2.
An
engagement project involving 10,000 people across the North of England in
experiences of world-class dance and music, within their local communities. Led
by Blaize Community Arts and working with multiple partners and involving a
series of performances, flashmobs, workshops and house concerts, Balbir Singh
Dance Company inspired and entertained people of all ages. The project took place in some of the Country's most remote and difficult to reach places;
bringing vibrant live performances to everyday settings, for people who may
otherwise never have the chance to engage with this kind of experience. New
audiences were introduced to
contemporary dance and Kathak Indian dance through relevant and meaningful
artistic exchanges.
This
diverse programme took place in locations ranging from traditional rural venues
such as village halls, to more intimate spaces including houses and libraries,
and even large-scale pop up performances in shopping centres and parks.
The aims of
the project were to:
Bring
exciting, diverse dance to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to
engage with it;
Continue
to build a strong network of rural touring schemes and venues across the North
of England;
Offer
inspiration and professional development to young people and dance
artists; With over
fifty events across The North of England (2015-2016) including 23 performances,
5 house concerts, 18 workshops and 8 flashmobs.
“In 2017, we managed between us MG3 trio from Montreal, dance company Everything Fitz, Tomato/Tomato and Quebecois dancers Les Bordeliques. Ryan Cook and Terra Spencer toured in 2019. So far, we’ve offered 22 Canadian companies well over 300 touring dates between us and we have managed this through our excellent partnership working and commitment to offering people great nights out. A few delays occurred due to public funding cuts/pandemic but we are up and running with new companies returning in 2024.
The Northern Consortium’s joint ability to punch bigger than each individual scheme has paid dividends over the years. New work, commissioning opportunities, international artists , extending our joint offer to volunteer promoters and rural audiences. A commitment to diverse and contemporary work has been at the core of what we do for over 25 years.
