Chisenhale Dance Membership is now closed for applications. We anticipate welcoming new Members in Autumn/Winter 2022.
As a Member-led organisation, our programmes and opportunities are primarily open to Chisenhale Dance Members. We have three recurring programmes which provide monetary support, performance opportunities, and chances to meet and talk to other artists (read more about these below).
In addition to these streams we also frequently offer residencies, bursaries and commissions, supported with funding from Arts Council England. Previous projects have included: August Residencies; Artist Exchange with the Work Room, Glasgow; Collaborations Between Generations artist commissions; and Member-as-Curator research bursaries. To find out about any current projects, please check the News section of our website.
Allotment (Members Only)
The Allotment Fund was created in 2016 as a result of match funding from Backstage Trust and as a way of encouraging our membership to explore and invest in circular giving. Circular giving is a way of giving that allows everyone an equal opportunity to use the pool of donated money, which comes from CDS Membership donations.
Members can apply for between £250 and £1000, which can support public programmes (performances, workshops, discussions etc), participatory projects ‘first steps’, developing Member-led models, and/or personal experimentation.
Applicants are asked to complete a short proposal form. After receiving applications, a panel consisting of CDS staff and Members meet to select proposals. All applicants are informed of the panel’s decision and given some feedback on their application.
The latest round of applications closed in December 2019. There will be more rounds in the future.
Future Fridays (Members Only)
Future Fridays is our twice-yearly programme of new work led by Chisenhale Dance Members. We see it as a context where Members can take risks and share new ideas in front of a casual, supportive audience. The work shown is usually either in the early stages of development, or on its first outing as a completed work.
This project is currently in hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in the process of reviewing the opportunities CDS offers to support artist-members, and hope to resume a performance programme for Members soon.
Coffee Mornings (For all artists)
Coffee Mornings are a way in which dance/performance makers and doers can talk about the relationships between issues of production, public policy and the politics of the cultural industries and the artwork that they are making and doing. Each Coffee Morning has a different theme or conversation point, and is led by a different artist or group. The events are free and open to all artists.
Artist hosts needn’t already be associated with Chisenhale Dance, and we hope Coffee Mornings can be a context where artists feel comfortable to make first contact with Chisenhale Dance. We hope to resume Coffee Mornings soon, if you are interested in hosting one please email Es Morgan: es@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk with a brief outline of the subject you’re interested in discussing.
Coffee Mornings at Chisenhale Dance Space were initiated in 2010 by Gillie Kleiman, and taken over in 2015 by Hamish MacPherson, both independent dance artists and members of the artistic community around the organisation.