A pilot dance performance project in the East Midlands will provide a springboard to roll out youth dance work across England. ‘U.Dance’ will be funded from the £5.5m awarded to national dance agency Youth Dance England earlier this year, and will initially be co-ordinated by experimental dance organisation Dance4.
The scheme ultimately aims to offer everyone aged 5–19 in England the chance to take part in dance performances each year, from local shows to national events. The plan also offers support and training to teachers, dance practitioners and dance group leaders on how best to set up and develop such projects. Youth Dance England’s Director, Linda Jasper, said that the U.Dance pilot, which will work with six county dance organisations, would help to develop “insight into best practice in dance performance for young people, so that we can stimulate thousands of dance performances of all types and sizes, both in and outside schools”.