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Who We Are 

The Dance Leaders Group (DLG) is an open independent network of over 300 dance professionals and leaders across the West Midlands with a hunger to collaborate and a commitment to inclusion and equality.  

Dance Leaders Group logo

The network enables members to work together to develop bold, ambitious and unique projects and activities, through partnerships that extend and share expertise, resources and capacity.  Providing the foundations for ambitious works and professional development, DLG is creating a movement for inclusive dance participation, creating innovative strategies and ambitious opportunities with training, performance and education.

 

What is unique and special about the DLG is the collaboration, co-production and generously shared learning that happens on a regionwide scale and invites people, at all stages in their career and across the spectrum of organisational contexts and dance styles, to contribute and develop ideas on an equal basis. 

This makes DLG a unique, responsive, ambitious approach to dance development regionwide, creating the conditions for the dance community to connect and thrive. DLG represents a model of culturally democratic innovation which is unique to the region and envied in other parts of the country.  

We wish to build on its position as independent of any one dance organisation and not an organisation in its own right. We see this as integral to its effectiveness, power and success so far. 

Background 

DLG pioneered a creative enquiry action research approach to learning and development, in which dance participation professionals were paired across the region and across different sizes and types of organisations to exchange practice. 

#DanceConnect R&D evolved in response to the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. It set the scene for the Steering Group to secure additional funding for Beyond Borders 2021 and to negotiate an exceptional partnership with Birmingham 2022 Festival team to deliver Critical Mass as a high-profile signature of the Commonwealth Games Culture Festival in 2022. 

Visit DLG’s website for more information

Current Work

The DLG & Critical Mass What Next 2022-2024 project comprises four interlinked strands which realise Investment Priorities alongside DLG’s strategic goals over a two-year period. These are: 

  • Network Leadership and Advocacy 
  • Learning and Skills Development 
  • Practice, Innovation, Research – #DanceConnect 2 
  • Sustainability and Resilience 

As part of these strands, we have already achieved the following during the pilot phase delivery: 

  • Set up of three Sub-Regional Hubs with a dedicated Project Leader, Senior Ambassador and Youth Ambassador. During the pilot phase, these focused areas were Hereford & Worcestershire, Black Country, and Coventry & Warwickshire. 
  • A series of online access drop in sessions, and ‘In Conversation With’ conferences, with Critical Mass key player guest speakers.  
  • Investment in the DLG Brand Identity and how we wish to share our story to world. 

Upcoming Events

Learning and Skills Development

DLG has been working with its members to co-curate a program of training interventions & ongoing skills development, as part of the ‘DLG & Critical Mass What Next 2022-24’ program.

These CPD skills sessions are free to access and aim to up-skill the West Midlands dance community. Suitable for all levels of experience and ability from emerging to established.

Workshops are led by experienced local artists and industry specialists, including members of the DLG community itself.

We aim to ensure all learning & skills sessions are made accessible and align to DLGs values around access and inclusion, but please get in touch if there is something we can do to support any additional needs and allow you to join us.

PLEASE CLICK THE EVENTS TO REGISTER FOR EACH SESSION

There are no future events scheduled. View all events

How to Join

If you wish to join the Dance Leaders Group please complete the sign up form.

The network currently comprises 70+ dance professionals from core funded and project-funded organisations as well as independents, working in all parts of the region. 

Visit DLG's website to find out more information

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