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Marking an exciting development for Dance in Oxford!

The Oxford Dance Forum began as an informal network of local professional dance artists, providing a much-valued opportunity for dancers to meet, share ideas / projects and input into the wider spectrum of dance in the City. The Forum has now established its' status as an independent organisation, encompassing the broad range of dance styles that exist within the City.

This marks a very exciting development for dance, on both a local and regional level. The Oxford Forum is already recognised as an example of good practice in the region and has inspired several dance agencies across the South East to develop a similar model.

'The Oxford Dance Forum exists to support the professional development of dance artists whose work is predominantly based in Oxford City. The organisation recognises, draws on and invests in the skills of individual dance artists. The Oxford Dance Forum celebrates diversity and dancers' individuality'. (Oxford Dance Forum Constitution)

A key aim of the Forum is to be an advocate for dance locally, regionally and nationally. There is currently a high level of dance activity in Oxford, and the Forum aims to raise the profile and visibility of dance in the City.

An important part of the Forum is it's role in the professional development of dance artists, and its' aim in developing a programme of training and performance opportunities for dance artists at all stages of their career. In collaboration with Swindon Dance / South East Dance (National Dance Agencies) and 'Independent Dance' in London, the Forum aims to attract dance artists from London and regionally to travel to Oxford and draw benefit from a high quality programme of professional development opportunities, co-ordinated with other dance agencies across the region.

News / Events coming up.....

For information about the Oxford Dance Forum's forthcoming advanced-level classes / workshops, please click on the Professional Development Programme page

SUMMER ’08 WORKSHOPS with LIVE MUSIC

Sunday 29th June 2008

Learn Classical Egyptian Rhythms on Tabla and Doff with Tim Garside

(12.30-2.00pm) Cost: £12 - All welcome

Dancers and musicians, beginners to experts, enhance your understanding and experience of music or movement. Bring an instrument if possible - some available to reserve when booking.

Dance to Live Music – Classical (Sharqi) Form with Katrina Robinson and Tim Garside

(2.30-5.30pm) Cost: 20/£16 concessions - General/Intermediate level

Explore key aspects of the modern Classical form and its lyrical expressive power, with live instrumentals from Tim. Places are limited so please book a.s.a.p.

Venue: Jericho Centre Studio, 33a Canal St, Oxford

Book both workshops for £28, or come to either. Please send cheque for full amount or 50% deposit to K. Robinson, 20 Mill Lane, Iffley, Oxford OX4 4EJ by 24 June. Cancellations: payments gladly refunded if replacement organised. Details: 01865 777462 (before 8pm).

Katrina is a Raqs Sharqi Society teacher: www.raqssharqisociety.org.uk

Next Oxford Dance Forum meeting

The next meeting of the Oxford Dance Forum will be on Thursday 17th July (1.00-3.00pm) at Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RE. Refreshments will be served at the meeting. Please can you RSVP to Claire Thompson if you will be attending - e-mail cthompson@oxford.gov.uk.

Oxford Dance Forum - Subsidy Scheme launch

Oxford Dance Forum has some subsidies available over the next 12 months (on a maximum-amount bursary basis of £50* per person) to Oxfordshire-based dance artists.

The bursaries are to assist towards the following suggested costs: · The cost of attending training outside Oxford · The cost of travelling to attend training outside Oxford – (* Car sharing is positively encouraged wherever possible) · The cost of childcare to enable an artist to attend training / specific ODF projects.

Selection will be carried out by members of the Oxford Dance Forum steering group (with the assistance of an external advisor). A decision will be given within three weeks of the application.

For further guidelines and application form, please contact Claire Thompson - cthompson@oxford.gov.uk.

Dance on Camera -Production Awards

OFVM (Centre for film & digital media) are calling for applications for the OFVM Production Award Dance On Camera.

The award will provide production support, resources and equipment for up to 5 projects. It is an equipment / resources award not a monetary award. We will support productions up to a maximum of 15 minutes in length, with a maximum of eight shooting days. There is no minimum duration.

The completed films will be premiered at the Dancin’ Oxford Festival in February 2009.

The award is open to OFVM course participants and dancer / choreographer filmmakers living in Oxfordshire, and offers access to OFVM resources, equipment and production support. The OFVM Production Award is open to all levels of experience but applicants will need to demonstrate that they or their crew have the experience and expertise to deliver their project successfully. Training will not be provided.

For further information and an application form please visit www.ofvm.org/productions.php or contact Gary Shenton on production@ofvm.org.

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Launch of two-year development programme for professional dance artists

This programme gives an opportunity for the continuing development of professional dance artists by offering a regular programme of events within the area, at a highly affordable price. It has been designed following a period of research into the needs of independent dance professionals, and in response to requests for specific teachers and specific styles.

The investment by Arts Council England, South East and Oxford City Council into this two-year programme of work marks a very exciting development for dance, on both a local and regional level. The Oxford Forum is already recognised as an example of good practice in the region and has inspired several dance agencies across the South East to develop a similar model.

'The launch of The Dance Forum is an important milestone for the artistic community within Oxfordshire. It reflects the relevance of Oxford as a dynamic hub of dance activity, the resonance of which is increasingly being felt across the region.
ACE's investment in the individual artist recognises the importance of professional development, ensuring the vibrant growth of the sector. This initiative has a key role to play in helping us meet this objective. We look forward to building a strong relationship with The Dance Forum, and with the diverse range of practitioners in Oxfordshire'. (Arts Council England, South East)

The Oxford Dance Forum works in partnership with Oxford City Council, Pegasus Theatre, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and the Oxford Playhouse, and is developing collaboration with Swindon Dance / South East Dance (National Dance Agencies) and 'Independent Dance' in London. The Forum aims to attract dance artists from London and across the region to draw benefit from a high quality programme of professional development opportunities in Oxford, co-ordinated with other dance agencies across the region.