Blank Space is free studio space open to Midlands-based dance artists/practitioners.

Fabric is committed to making as many Blank Space sessions available as we can, between our programmes and commercial hires. Our goal is to ensure these spaces are used to their full potential and that every artist has a chance to access Blank Space.

To increase accessibility, we emphasise our Blank Space Fair Use policy outlined below.

Who can use Blank Space?

Blank Space is available to those that fit the following criteria:

• You’re an independent artist/practitioner (not a National Portfolio Organisation) working in dance, movement or choreography
• You are based in (and currently living in) the Midlands
• You are aged 18 or over.

What can the space be used for?

Use of Blank Space can be for, but is not limited to: rehearsals or practice; dance research; devising a dance workshop; preparing for an audition. You have access to the studio and the equipment in the studio which includes amplified sound and WiFi. Please manage your time and leave the space at the end of your booked session. We also ask as part of using Blank Space to leave the space as you found it, ready for others to use the space as needed.

What can the space NOT be used for?

It cannot be used for a class, workshop, or training; commercial/paid activity; anything advertised to the public; anything with non-professional attendees; anything that invites an audience; groups over 6 people. You will not have access to any additional furnture or equipment from outside the studio space and will not be able to utilise the changing rooms.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel please let us know as soon as possible ideally more than 24 hours before your session by calling the office on 0121 667 6730 or email info@fabric.dance.

Fabric’s Blank Space Fair Use Policy

We deem fair use for Blank Space as an allowance which amounts to approximately 10 full days or 20 unique sessions per artist over a 12-month period over both Birmingham and Nottingham sites. This availability is comparable to the duration of current Fabric residencies and valued at £1000 based on our artist rate.

We request that each artist limit use of this offer to 3 Blank Space sessions per month. Each session does not exceed 2.5 hours, and the full session must be used.

You can still request space if you have already had 3 sessions in a month, but additional bookings will only be considered if there are no other eligible artists requesting that space and if you are still within your allowance of 20 sessions between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

If the Blank Space session you require has already been booked, there is an option to email info@fabric.dance and request to be added to the waiting list; sessions will be re-allocated in the case of a cancellation on a first-come, first-served basis.

With this approach to fair use, we hope to engage as many dance artists across the Midlands as possible.