FABRIC is formed from a position of relative strength and relative financial certainty.  This is a coming together rooted in choice and opportunity rather than necessity.  Since 2017, the two organisations have been collaborating; asking searching questions of each other and testing the potential for growth in ambition and scale in dance, creating a platform to achieve greater reach and depth in the collaboration with artists and audiences. We believe now is the right moment to make this change.

The work, people and resources of both organisations continue into the forming of FABRIC. Dance4 and DanceXchange will transfer all assets to the new charitable company FABRIC, and the relationships we have with partners, artists, audiences will continue. Over time the existing company names will be superseded by FABRIC.

The CEO of FABRIC will be Paul Russ, current Chief Executive/Artistic Director of Dance4.

Debbie Jardine, current Interim CEO at DanceXchange, has worked closely with Paul since 2017 to encourage more sustainable approaches to growth and development with and for the sector, and to shape the business model for FABRIC. As Debbie’s interim role comes to an end, Paul will take on the role of CEO of the new organisation.

Our intention is to bring about greater opportunities to invest and support artists in the development of their practice and careers. We will be more transparent and inclusive in our decision making and ensure all opportunities are appropriately resourced and remunerated.

The public and our contribution to public life are one of the key reasons for the creation of FABRIC. We will strive to increase engagement across all programmes and to see the public influence our decision making to ensure we represent and champion the communities we serve in the creation and delivery of our work.

Festivals will be a vital part of our programme. In the first year of FABRIC, both Birmingham International Dance Festival and Nottdance will take place, in collaboration with a rich mix of partners and reaching out to new, young, and diverse audiences.

FABRIC will operate from both locations, in Nottingham and Birmingham, building on the programmes and audiences of Dance4 and DanceXchange in these locations and beyond.

Of course, names will change and over time new programmes will emerge, but we believe this change is positive and so nothing should be lost, only gained. FABRIC is created with the 60 years of combined knowledge and experience of both organisations leading us towards increasing engagement and sector support opportunities.

If you don’t currently work with Dance4 or DanceXchange, we want to hear from you and if you currently work with us, you’ll be part of our conversations and actions to realise the ambitions enshrined in bringing FABRIC about.