FABRIC is a strategic dance development organisation based in the Midlands with sites in Birmingham and Nottingham. FABRIC is created from the formal merger of DanceXchange and Dance4, bringing together over 60 years of combined experience.

FABRIC aims to inspire, increase and diversify engagement, co-create with the extraordinary people of the region, encourage creative leadership, develop talent, and celebrate the impact of dance and its place in public life.

Working with and for artists, audiences, and communities, our new approach will breathe new life into dance, creating unique, thrilling and ambitious programmes, and contributing to the international arts offer through a rich and diverse programme grown in the Midlands.

We are driven by a desire to positively disrupt, to bring about change that ensures a more sustainable and resilient future for dance.  For dance to play a greater civic role in the lives of communities across the Midlands. Together, as FABRIC, we are creating the new possible for dance.

What We Do 

FABRIC has a strategic role in developing the artform and growing the market for dance, supporting dance artists and choreographers to create and develop their practice, whilst building sustainable dance careers.

FABRIC nurtures talented young performers, choreographers and leaders; runs an extensive outreach and education programme; leads the Midlands Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programmes; and produces a range of multi-partner community, health and inclusion projects.

FABRIC provides local, national and international leadership, working in partnership with venues, local authorities, education, creative industries and other providers to connect the most extraordinary dance and choreographic practices to the widest possible audience.

FABRIC is the producer Nottdance and Dance from England , and was the producer of  Birmingham International Dance Festival (BIDF).  This has now come to an end and we will be working on a new offer to be announced in the near future.

FABRIC is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), Registered Charity No. 1196368, with a mixed portfolio of funding and investment from Arts Council England, Local Authorities, and a range of co-producers, partners, sponsors, trusts and foundations. Earned income is currently generated through ticket sales, participation fees and studio hires, along with other professional and industry initiatives.

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Our organisation, work, people, and processes are driven and hallmarked by our values:

Curiosity

We are interested in what dance can be and how it can be made.  We support creative risk taking, encourage artists to be curious and explore the boundaries of their practice.

Inclusivity & Diversity

We involve different perspectives in our decision-making.  We work authentically and with care to ensure our organisation reflects the communities we serve.  By reaching out and inviting in, we actively engage with diverse communities, seeking out new and undiscovered talent and inspiring engagement in dance.

Leadership

We acknowledge responsibility for striving to be leaders in our field, being ambitious for the development of the art form and developing a new generation of creative leaders.  We will positively develop, encourage and enable all who work with us: staff, communities, young artists through to the most experienced, to fulfil their potential and ambitions and to flourish.

Openness 

We are willing to listen, learn, and improve our offer for the dance sector and the public, through being approachable and always acting with integrity.  We are willing to be challenged intellectually on our practices and approaches and are keen to change and adapt according to the future needs of the art form and our audiences.  Our most powerful tool is our continuing relevance.

Partnership

We are passionate about our local contribution to creative civic life; a willing partner, working in the interests of our locations, audiences, dance artists and the dance sector, by seeking to add value.  We trust and respect the people we work with to progress the new possible.  We are alive to external influences, actively allowing our work and evolution to be influenced by the realities of our operating environment and those we work with.