My dance background
I started down the typical pipeline of stage school at a young age which then eventually progressed on to GCSE dance, then A-Level, and then eventually at undergraduate level at Bath Spa University. Through my education I have been fortunate enough to work with some amazing dance artists, such as Richard Chappell Dance, Kennedy Junior Muntanga, Impermanence Dance Theatre, Lila Dance and Laila Diallo just to name a few.
Dance has been a consistent medium all through my life and I want that to continue on through my work and through this campaign.
Researching the sector in South East Wales
Moving to Cardiff from London last September, I was keen to find out about the dance sector in Wales and Cardiff. Immediately, I discovered National Dance Company Wales, and Ballet Cymru, and started a deep dive of research which led me to learn that there is currently no way of studying dance at an undergraduate level in Wales.
Although Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Rubicon Dance, University of South Wales and Trinity St David’s all offer some level of training, there is currently no opportunity to study contemporary dance at university in Wales.
Currently, if a young person wants to study dance professionally after leaving school, they have to leave Wales and study in England, Scotland, Ireland or internationally. Although there are associate programmes run by professional dance companies in Wales, these all seem to stop when you reach eighteen years old.
Shining a light on contemporary dance in Wales
This has inspired me to start a social media campaign with Creative Cardiff: ‘Shining a light on contemporary dance in Wales.’
My aim initially was to create a strong network of dance organisations for young people to explore, helping them to create a solid foundation of connections at home that they can rely on and reach out to if they chose to return to Wales after studying dance elsewhere. This could’ve involved an event to help young people meet, network, and hear from industry professionals about the sector in Wales.
As much as this would have been amazing, I had to be realistic. My time here at Creative Cardiff ends in July and the logistics of an event of this scale could take multiple months, which is something I don’t have. I had to adapt my idea and instead deliver a campaign to create a meaningful impact while not taking up too much time!
I decided to launch a digital campaign on social media focused on showcasing and promoting contemporary dance within the Welsh arts scene – specifically targeting young people who may be interested in exploring what the contemporary dance scene can offer them through connections and resources. As well as aiming at other creative sectors to bring their attention to contemporary dance and to support this underrepresented art form.
The ultimate goal is to increase visibility, accessibility, and engagement with contemporary dance throughout Wales.
Through telling stories about the wonderful companies, practitioners and facilitators keeping the contemporary dance scene alive in Wales, I am hopeful these digital digests will fall on the right ears for those who believe dance is their primary form of self-expression.
Get in touch!
For the benefit of young people across Wales, I’m really looking forward to applying my passion and knowledge to this campaign and learning more from brilliant companies such as National Dance Company Wales, Ballet Cymru, National Youth Arts Wales/Dance, Rubicon Dance and Ransack Dance Company. I am hopeful to get into contact with each of these companies to provide information and insight for anyone who is interested and if you are reading this and share this passion, I’d love to hear your thoughts and grow this campaign.
MartinS22@cardiff.ac.uk