We are seeking applications from dance artists or companies based in the North (priority is given to artists based in Yorkshire) to take part in our Dance Partner Projects 2025-26

Dance Partner Projects is open to dance artists or companies who are based in the North (priority is given to artists based in Yorkshire). The programme aims to provide dance artists/ companies at different career stages with an opportunity to research and develop a new or early-stage artistic project.

The 3 artists or companies selected for Dance Partner Projects will benefit from: 

• £3,000 for use as match funding or to cover a research residency 
• Up to 3 weeks of research time in our studio. 
• Support from Yorkshire Dance’s Artist Development team. For example to support project development, producing, fundraising, connecting with specific participants or audiences, dramaturgy etc. 
• The potential opportunity to present work-in-progress at our annual No Dress Code scratch night in November each year. 
• The opportunity to show work within our Encounters Festival programme, where thematically appropriate and dependent on timing. 

Through our ongoing partnership with Tin Arts, we are committed to supporting one artist with a learning disability and/or autism through this programme. In addition to the support outlined above, this artist/company will benefit from:

• An additional £1,000 to support access costs
• Support to create a plan with longer, slower processes for making work where needed.
• Support to identify access needs and create an access rider if required.
• Connecting into a network of other artists with a learning disability or autism in the North East and the North West

This course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to pursue roles in the technical theatre and stage management industry.

The course offers a high degree of practical experience to take students through the various grades of technical theatre and stage management with the ultimate goal of students entering the profession after completion. Upon completion of the programme students will have a considerable amount of experience working on our vast output of public performances with professional directors; students will also have a sizeable portfolio of work which will help them to gain employment.

Students will study a broad range of areas before moving into an area for specialism. This will be facilitated by a core team of technical professionals and a wider range of industry freelancers. This will help to create relationships for future employment in the sector.

Working out of Gosforth Civic Theatre's Cafe Bar, the placement offers a varied role, developing skills including:

• Welcoming customers
• Serving and preparing food and drinks
• Qualifications in Food Hygiene
• Barista skills
• Operating the till
• Replenishing stock

In addition, our placements will provide valuable, softer life skills:

• Increased confidence
• Improved social skills and widened social circle
• Developed communication skills
• Understand how to work safely

Our mission

To raise everyone's expectations about what people with learning disabilities can achieve.

We believe that every young person embarking on a work placement has the potential to succeed. Our staff are dedicated to the overall welfare of every trainee to ensure that they develop work and life skills across the duration of the placement.

How does it work?

• Our placements run in 12-week blocks, for a maximum of 24 weeks
• We recommend a minimum of two, four-hour shifts a week to benefit from the experience
• Typical shifts will be 9am - 1pm and 12pm - 4pm

To help us evaluate if the cafe is the right opportunity for you, we will:

• Invite you to GCT to have a chat with you to find out a bit more about you, your skills and what you want to learn
• We will ask you to take part in two taster sessions, split into two shifts.

Cost

This programme is fee based. Fee based programmes can be funded through either a young person's education and health care plan, or direct payments/personal budget. You can find out more about this from your college transitions officer or your local social work team.

To sign up, or to find out more, please contact Rebecca via the email address listed below.