Educating the Local Community:

Autism & Me

In partnership with local organisations, Autism + Me was a weekly creative dance and art class for 8-11 year olds with Autism and their siblings. CDS led this in collaboration once with the Pheonix Special School (2012) and once with Tower Project (2014). The sessions focus was on developing creativity, meeting other children in the local area and building relationships with their siblings.

Transformers 

A two year project supporting 8 local primary schools using the Olympics and the changing environment to engage young people in dance, 2012-2014. The project was nominated for the 2012 National Lottery Awards. Funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor/National Lottery managed by East London Business Alliance.

Elderly Reminisces

As Tower Hamlets entered a period of celebration and regeneration in 2012, CDS were keen to involve elderly local resident who through lack of access and mobility were unable to experience some specialist activiies. Participants were involved in weekly movement and falls prevents session to improve mobility, health and esteem. Funded by St Katherine & Shadwell Trust. 

Moving Words

An innovative combined ESOL and dance project for female BAME foreign language speakers in 2012. This project supported new immigrants and foreign language speakers to become more confident in communicating and understanding English. A free crèche was offered for participants with young children.

Community Events/Festivals:

Canalside Festival 2015 – a celebration of World Water Day bringing Museum of Water, a collection of publicly donated water and stories and a site-responsive performance to the canal terrace on Chisenhale Road.

Dance | Film Festival – a four-day festival exploring dance and film work, including workshops on Super-8 and silhouettes, performance evening at CDS, commissioned participatory work in Victoria Park and offsite screenings at Hackney Picturehouse, Idea Stores and The Crown Pub.

Chisenhale Fun Palace – a two-day festival curated by the local community in partnership with Chisenhale Studios and Chisenhale Gallery. This was part of a nationwide celebration of the centenary of Joan Littlewood’s birth.

Without Walls 2016 – Without Walls is a fortnight of collaborative events, curated by members of Chisenhale Art Place.