About
The Dance Leaders Group (DLG) is a network of dance professionals across the Midlands who share a collective passion for inspiring and engaging people in dance and movement, and for ensuring that opportunities are open and accessible to all.
DLG brings together dance leaders, practitioners and organisations from across the region, at all stages of their careers and working across different organisational contexts, dance styles and communities. It creates space for people to connect, share learning and expertise, develop ideas and work together to strengthen dance across the region.
A new convening partnership
Following the convenorship of Arts Connect and after the tenure of Fabric with Birmingham Royal Ballet coming to an end, we are now entering a new phase for the network to ensure DLG continues to best serve the wider dance community across the Midlands.
A new consortium of Dancefest, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Fabric and People Dancing have come together to convene and support the network, coordinated by Dancefest. In addition, two freelance practitioners will be sought to join the consortium.
This new phase is an opportunity to continue to build on what has been established, collectively considering what DLG can be now and in the future. The aim is for the entire network to have a voice in shaping the approach and to feel connected and integral to the network.
Plans for this next phase include:
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Two annual DLG summits, bringing the network together for shared learning, connection, discussion and development.
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Regular online talks and webinars, responding to issues, interests and opportunities identified by the network.
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Continued development of DLG Regional Hubs, creating more opportunities for connection and activity at a local and regional level. Current Hubs include; Coventry & Warwickshire, Black Country, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Burton & East Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire, African Diasporic Hub and West Midlands South Asian Dance Network
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Ongoing opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing, advocacy and collaboration across the region.
By bringing together different perspectives, experiences, practices and communities, we can create the conditions for dance leaders and the wider dance sector to connect, learn, collaborate and thrive.
WHAT WE DO
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Bring together dance leaders to support practice and infrastructure for collaboration.
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Raise the profile of dance work across the region.
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Advocate for investment and resources.
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Include different demographics, types of dance and abilities.
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Connect people from the dance community with an equal voice.
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Strengthen the region as a united force
WHY WE DO IT
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To encourage professional development and talent retention.
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To understand the wider context we are working in as dance leaders.
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To facilitate, up-skill and strengthen the work of dance leaders in the region.
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To advocate for dance across the region and beyond
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To respond to opportunities to come together as a network to deliver projects
THE DLG JOURNEY
Experimental Exchange Sequence - 2018/19
An action research project support the evolving network of DLG and facilitating increased connections, awareness and collaboration across the region.
#DanceConnect - 2020
An online collaborative project between dance professionals, young people and a digital artist, from across the West Midlands.
Beyond Borders - 2021
A region wide participation project that brought together dance artists, aspiring young leaders, young people, digital artists and a variety of specialists to collaborate and produce original work in response to #OnewithNature.
Critical Mass - 2022
Birmingham 2022 Festival’s flagship participation programme, bringing together a fully integrated cast of young people to perform at some of the regions largest events.
DLG & Critical Mass What Next - 2022-24
Four interlinked strands which aim to strengthen and diversify leadership and infrastructure across the region and create the conditions for future audacious ambitious collaborations.
Strength 2 Strength 2024-25
Focusing on skills and capacity building for artists, organisations and young emerging talent, including training, networking and progression routes.