International Connections delegates announced
Published 21 June 2011
Eight high profile arts professionals from six countries have been named as recipients of a Visiting Arts International Connections bursary scheme. The International Connections programme will enable the selected experts to share their experience with UK-based arts professionals at Arts Council England’s 5th decibel Performing Arts Showcase in Manchester from 13-16 September 2011.
The arts professionals selected for International Connections come from as far afield as Australia, China, USA, New Zealand and India. They are:
- Sam Cook, Director of The Dreaming: International Indigenous Festival, Australia
- Sasha Dees, independent curator and producer, Holland
- Kath Duncan, multi-media producer and cultural commentator, Australia
- Anjum Katyal, Editor, Art and the City, India
- Monique Martin, Director of Family Programming, CityParks Foundation, USA
- Leroy Franklin Moore Jr., Founder of Krip-Hop Nation, USA
- Louise Tu'u, writer, director and producer, New Zealand
(image above - credit Michelle Hyslop) - WANG Chong, Program Director of Beijing International Fringe Festival, China
At the decibel Performing Arts Showcase, International Connections participants will be able to share ideas with their UK peers and experience cutting-edge work from England’s culturally rich performing arts scene. In return, Showcase artists and delegates can gain insights into international markets, make connections and find out about opportunities to present work outside of the UK.
Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, Arts Council England, said: “International Connections encourages the sharing of best practice in the international performing arts, while at the same time enabling overseas professionals to see the excellent work being made by artists from diverse backgrounds in England.”
Click here to find out more about the International Connections
Showcase leads to Cultural Olympiad collaboration
Published 6 June 2011
Andrew Loretto attended the decibel Performing Arts Showcase in 2009. He had two roles: as a delegate to scout potential artists to collaborate with on projects and as the director/maker of Chol Theatre’s selected artist presentation ‘Not for All the Tea in China’.
At Showcase Loretto was introduced to the work of Company Chameleon, who were presenting a work in progress called Baka. He subsequently invited the Manchester-based dance company to collaborate on Extraordinary Moves, part of iMove, a Yorkshire-based Cultural Olympiad project.
Now a Creative Producer for Sheffield Theatres, Andrew Loretto said:
“I’ve attended three decibel showcases, and it was great to attend in 2009 both as a delegate and as a featured artist. It’s a brilliant format where everyone knows exactly why they are there and what they are looking for. It makes the whole process of showcasing and networking relatively painless for those who don’t normally feel comfortable with such things.”
“I think it is healthy for artists and promoters to get out there and see as much new work as possible, and to approach showcases such as decibel with an open mind, not just seeing the work that is presently available, but looking creatively to the future and how artists and work can be nurtured through genuine two-way collaborations.”
The Night of Extraordinary Moves, presented by Chol Theatre and imove, takes over the whole of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield for one night only on Saturday 18 June. The programme will present inspiring dance performances and workshops from dance artists and theatre makers including Company Chameleon.
Loretto has also invited Company Chameleon to participate in a workshop weekend at Sheffield Theatres in autumn 2011 as part of the Crucible’s 40th birthday season.
LINKS
Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewLoretto
Visit Sheffield Theatres website
Watch Chol Theatre’s 2009 Showcase performance
Visit Chol Theatre’s website
Watch Company Chameleon’s 2009 Showcase performance
Find out about Company Chameleon at the 2011 Showcase
Visit Company Chameleon’s website
Book tickets for The Night of Extraordinary Moves at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Find out more about iMove - the Cultural Olympiad in Yorkshire
