DAFC Press release

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PRESS RELEASE 12/3/2012 SDT Dance Agent for Change post comes to an end. Caroline Bowditch’s four year post as Scottish Dance Theatre’s (SDT) Dance Agent For Change comes to an end on 22 nd March. The project was initiated by former Artistic Director Janet Smith who was interested in breaking down barriers, extending borders in the dance world and exploring new possibilities, creatively, artistically and for the good of culture in Scotland. This ground breaking role, funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland aimed to increase the number of disabled people involved in dance in Scotland, including those entering training or the dance profession. During her 4 years, Caroline has interacted with over 25,000 people in workshops, talks and performances not only in Scotland but in the rest of the UK and beyond. “[Caroline’s] role has been influential personally and professionally. It demonstrated that a Disabled Dance artist can be professionally acknowledged and professionally valued. The role has been invaluable for young people… as a role model and advocate. There is no doubt that disabled people have their own voice, who better than to advocate for change than someone who knows how much that change in reality makes to an individuals life and in turn to the community.” Dance Agent for Change Collaborator During her time in Dundee, Caroline has co-directed and performed in two works for SDT: The Long and the Short of It, with Tom Pritchard and NQR with Janet Smith and Marc Brew. Caroline also started an inclusive dance class; ‘ Do Your Thing’ which runs at Dundee Rep on Saturday mornings, this class will continue to run with a variety of guest teachers.

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Press Release for the end of the Dance Agent for Change post

Transcript of DAFC Press release

Page 1: DAFC Press release

 PRESS RELEASE 12/3/2012

SDT Dance Agent for Change post comes to an end.

Caroline Bowditch’s four year post as Scottish Dance Theatre’s (SDT) Dance Agent For Change comes to an end on 22nd March. 

The project was initiated by former Artistic Director Janet Smith who was interested in breaking down barriers, extending borders in the dance world and exploring new possibilities, creatively, artistically and for the good of culture in Scotland.

This ground breaking role, funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland aimed to increase the number of disabled people involved in dance in Scotland, including those entering training or the dance profession.  During her 4 years, Caroline has interacted with over 25,000 people in workshops, talks and performances not only in Scotland but in the rest of the UK and beyond. 

“[Caroline’s] role has been influential personally and professionally. It demonstrated that a Disabled Dance artist can be professionally acknowledged and professionally valued. The role has been invaluable for young people… as a role model and advocate. There is no doubt that disabled people have their own voice, who better than to advocate for change than someone who knows how much that change in reality makes to an individuals life and in turn to the community.” Dance Agent for Change Collaborator

During her time in Dundee, Caroline has co-directed and performed in two works for SDT: The Long and the Short of It, with Tom Pritchard and NQR with Janet Smith and Marc Brew.  

Caroline also started an inclusive dance class; ‘ Do Your Thing’ which runs at Dundee Rep on Saturday mornings, this class will continue to run with a variety of guest teachers.

In October 2011 Caroline won the Creative Scotland Award for the Support of Talent at the Arts & Business Awards. This award honours an individual or organisation that has made a special contribution to nurturing creative talent in Scotland.

In January 2012,the culmination of the Dance Agent for Change post saw SDT organise the Pathways to the Profession Symposium in Dundee which brought industry experts and delegates from across the world together to discuss the challenges faced by disabled people trying to make a career in the performing arts.  

Although Caroline’s post is coming to an end, SDT and Dundee Rep are committed to continuing to strive for equality in the performing arts and will continue to be a fore runner in this field. 

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Caroline says:'It has been a complete pleasure to work with the team at SDT over the last 4 years. I feel we have achieved far more with this role than I could every have planned for and based on the knowledge, experience and commitment that remains within the company, I leave this post confident that the work will continue without me.'

Caroline’s next stop will be London where she will work on her most ambitious project to date Leaving Limbo Landing , a project about journey, placement, displacement, settling, arrivals and departures. This Unlimited commission is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad  and will be a multi artform outdoor touring production  that will be included in Creative Scotland's Made in Scotland programme at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

ENDSFor more information, images or an interview with Caroline contact Vicky Wilson, Press and Marketing Officer on 01382 342600 / [email protected]

The Dance Agent for Change post was funded by Creative Scotland and The National Lottery

Leaving Limbo Landing is funded by the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, The National Lottery legacy Trust, Arts Council England and East London Dance.

Listings

Do Your ThingDundee Rep Theatre, Saturdays, 10am, £ 4 , pay on the doorSuitable for ages 8+Do Your Thing is taught in an inclusive surrounding, please contact Dundee Rep Box Office if you any specific access requirements

Leaving Limbo LandingPREMIERE 7th July, London Fields, Shorditch28-29th July, Merchant City Festival, Glasgow8-12th August, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh8-9th September, Southbank Centre, London