Sadler's Wells launches practice-based artistic development initiatives

Sadler’s Wells Theatre has launched a raft of artist development initiatives, including a mentoring scheme and programmes for disabled practitioners.

Under the mentoring programme, 10 early-career choreographers or dance artists will be paired with a choreographer from the Sadler’s Wells network.

It will be split up into six one-hour mentoring sessions held online over the course of a year. Mentors include Ivan Blackstock, Claire Cunningham, Dan Daw, Gregory Maqoma, Seeta Patel, Crystal Pite and Charlotte Spencer.

The South Asian Dance Development Programme is a two-year programme launched after a consultation process with professionals from the South Asian dance community and is for emerging choreographers whose practice is based in a South Asian dance style.

Meanwhile, Time and Space Commissions will offer three choreographers £7,000, studio space and producing support. These commissions aim to “act as a catalyst for a choreographer’s development, enabling them to achieve a step change in their practice”, Sadler’s Wells said.

Meanwhile, the Disabled Artist Programme is focused on practice development opportunities for disabled artists, with participants invited to join a session each month, collaborating with artists who have worked on Sadler’s Wells’ stages.

There will also be a programme of bimonthly artist-led sessions, with an open call for dance artists and choreographers to create and lead a session for other artists.

Each session will be hybrid, so artists not based in London or near Sadler’s Wells can attend online.

In addition, recorded seminars and workshops from the Choreographic School and Hip Hop Theatre Academy at Sadler’s Wells East will be made available online as a resource for dance practitioners.

Sadler’s Wells associate artistic director Rob Jones said: “We want these programmes to be spaces where we can have a consistent dialogue with developing choreographers and dance artists.

“The majority of our programmes are open call-outs, and some are targeted in recognition of underserved areas of the dance ecology. These initial strands are focused on holding space for development without the pressure of production-based outcomes.”

Jones added: “We’re really excited to have a different kind of conversation with the dance ecology and this first step will build a strong a foundation for the work Sadler’s Wells is doing to support the future of choreographers and dance artists.”