New centre of excellence for dance

Leeds Metropolitan University is investing in a new centre of excellence for dance in Leeds, in partnership with Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Located at Quarry Hill in central Leeds, the six-storey centre will include seven dance studios, a 200-seat studio theatre, a health suite, wardrobe facilities, office space and a public exhibition space. It will be the only dance centre in the UK to accommodate a contemporary dance company alongside a classical ballet company with an associated school. £10.5m of the £12m required has already been secured from Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Forward and Arts Council England, and building work will start in spring 2009.