Scottish Ballet is to radically reposition itself as a new force in contemporary dance, through its performance work, its encouragement of new choreography and its development of dance training.
The refocusing of the company coincides with the departure of Artistic Director Robert North, whose contract expires in 2002, but no decisions have been made as to whether the company will then change its name.
As Scotland?s national dance company, Scottish Ballet is to be at the forefront of a number of new initiatives in Scotland, including the development of dedicated dance facilities in Edinburgh, and tertiary dance training in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh. The artistic plans have been welcomed by Tessa Jackson, Director of the Scottish Arts Council. She said ?SAC is keen to see the company develop artistically and increase its audiences. We share a common concern for the future success and financial security of the company, and Scottish Ballet has developed these plans with those in mind.?