Established in October 2013, Birmingham Dance Network is an artist led organisation committed to bringing professional development opportunities to Birmingham based dance artists. We respond to the interests of dancers, choreographers and those working in dance in the city.
BDN was founded and lead by Genevieve Say, Patsy Browne-Hope and Becca Thomas, who are all themselves independent dance artists.
The Birmingham Dance Network is the go-to support network for independent dance artists, choreographers and teachers who live and work in and around the UK’s second city.
BDN aims to creates opportunities to easily connect, network and discover other artists, choreographers and teachers. As artists we know how tough the industry is, but it certainly becomes easier once you feel part of a community. We are slowly but surely strengthening the local professional community through our work as Birmingham Dance Network.
BDN works across the city and regionally, connecting with other arts organisation to try and create the best professional development opportunities for the city’s dance artists. To date, we have received support from DanceXchange, mac Birmingham, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Dance Workshop, Ace Dance and Music and Impact Hub.
Some of our most notable additions to Birminghams dance scene are:
Professional Class
We have established twice weekly dance classes in partnership with DanceXchange which are lead by a combination of local, national and international teachers and companies.
Introducing…
Birmingham’s only dance platform for new work. Introducing… has been held all over the city, most recently at mac Birmingham and is a vital test bed for choreographers to get honest feedback from their audiences.
Salon BHAM!
A debate forum that brings a panel of established artists from around the country to discuss pressing topics with the local dance community. Combined with performance work and held in a bar in the city, Salon BHAM! is an informal and buoyant environment for dancers to discuss and debate.
Dance Intensives
We are bringing internationally acclaimed choreographers and teachers to Birmingham to lead 2 day intensives for dancers. These have formed an essential addition to professional development and continued training for local dancers.
Mentoring Scheme
BDN has an ongoing mentor scheme that offers new graduates in and around Birmingham mentoring to help with the transition into a professional career based in Birmingham. As a tiered mentor scheme, each mentor also has the opportunity to be mentored by an established leader in the cultural sector to help them develop their own work.