Dance into the spotlight with new grant funding

From tap to tango, break to belly dancing or contemporary to cha cha – Culture Liverpool is on the lookout for the city’s best dancing talent.

Creative individuals and organisations are being encouraged to apply for a one-off Dance Creative Commission Grant, and use the funding to commission a brand new piece of work that will be showcased as part of the Leap Dance Festival which returns this year for the first time since the pandemic.

The funding will bring the dance sector, professionals and communities the chance to come together, as they stage performances in venues across the City Region.

The grants will range from £300 to £3,000 and in order to apply the submissions need to:

• Be high quality and demonstrate artistic excellence.
• Be inclusive, generate positive social impact and engender a sense of pride in Liverpool and its communities.
• Be part of the Leap Dance Festival, either in person or digitally.

The funding has been made possible due to the Liverpool City Council’s partnership with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

In order to apply, submissions are welcome from:

• Liverpool-based artists and organisations who work with local communities.
• Freelance artists and small collectives.
• Those who have all the necessary insurances in place, such as public liability or employers’ liability.

For more details or to submit an application, head to the Culture Liverpool website. The deadline for submissions is 10am, Friday 9 February 2024.

The dance festival will take place in April and May 2024.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“These grants are really important in promoting cultural enrichment and boosting Liverpool’s dance offer, which in turn fosters community cohesion by allowing people to come together, share experiences and build connections.

“It’s also great opportunity to support local artists and organisations whose work has proven health and wellbeing benefits, which is timely given the recent publication of the State of Health in the City which highlights the need for us to do everything we can to tackle the health challenges facing Liverpool.

“I hope as many eligible individuals or organisations as possible apply for these grants and become part of the brilliant Leap line-up.”

Director of Leap Dance Festival, Paul Doyle, said:

“We are delighted that Culture Liverpool is able to support local dance artists with opportunities to create and perform their work in the city. It is a positive step towards rebuilding the dance sector in the region and ensuring dance is visible year round within the cultural calendar.”