DanceEast are delighted to announce that they have selected their next cohort of Associate Artists, who will collaborate closely with the organisation until April 2025. The Associate Artists for 2022 – 2025 are: Laura Anderson and Sarah Lewis, Paris Crossley, Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui, and Cathy Waller.
The initial search for this group of artists started in November 2021. The call out was for up to four solo artists or duos to collaborate with the organisation from April 2022 until April 2025. They were interested in hearing from women (including trans women) and non-binary people, given the current lack of opportunity for such artists, and gaps in the support offered.
Brendan Keaney OBE, Artistic Director, and CEO says:
“It has been a while since we assembled a new group of artists to work with us in this way, as with so many things, Covid interrupted our schedules. We work in a truly fantastic building, one of the best dance facilities in the country, however it is artists that bring it life, and I am aware that even before they were appointed, my colleagues and I have found the selection process to be inspiring.”
Lucy Bayliss, Head of Creative Programmes says of the process:
“It was an extraordinarily strong field, far exceeding the number of applicants that we had anticipated, and we were overwhelmed by the quality of the applications. Through this process, we have had the privilege of speaking with some very exciting people, many of whom we look forward to working with in other ways.”
Laura Anderson and Sarah Lewis are recognised for working collaboratively with both professional and recreational dancers by hosting a positive, playful space for people to express their unique creativity to make essentially human, touching dance experiences with wide appeal.
Laura Anderson and Sarah Lewis say:
“The associateship will solidify our already great relationship with DanceEast. As a duo valuing our place in the East, we’re excited about the new, ambitious work we’d like to research, develop, and make over the next 3 years and the relationships the associateship with DanceEast will help us to build.”
Paris Crossley is a movement artist specialising in Popping and is also a member of Fiya House crew. She has dominated the stages of Juste Debout, UK Bboy Champs, SummerDanceForever, Step Yo Game Up and more, having won several battles competitively.
Paris Crossley says:
“I have had a very unconventional route into the dance industry. My training came from movement styles created from communities of minorities. To be able to cultivate and place my movement knowledge rooted in HipHop and as a woman, and as a woman of colour in a recognised institution with guidance and support is rare. I am really looking forward to collaborating and working with DanceEast to support the greater community and as I build my grounding as an Emerging Choreographer and Creative Director.”
Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui founded SAY in 2019, which was formed to develop their passion for “making up” dances to songs and new music which they simply love to move to.
Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui say:
“We are so so thrilled to be Associate Artists at DanceEast. From both already having individual relationships with the organisation and receiving fundamental support during the creation of SAY in 2019; this opportunity will allow us to continue and develop our ethos as a duo. We will be able to continue our goal to bring contemporary dance to new audiences via local music talent with the help of an established DanceHouse.”
Cathy Waller created Cathy Waller Company in 2012, after securing the Blueprint Bursary from East London Dance and Sadler’s Wells. Since then, Cathy Waller Company has created multiple outdoor works and completed 2 outdoor tours commissioned by Without Walls and Gi20, performing around the UK. Alongside their artistic work, as a disabled artist, Cathy works with creatives and organisations to help strip away access barriers, so that we can all better support and champion diverse and disabled voices.
Cathy Waller says:
“I’m super excited to be developing my relationship with DanceEast over the next 3 years, and having the chance we all need, to be free to make lots of mistakes in the studio. This Associate Artist programme will give me the space to step-back, access and work on my movement practice, develop future ideas and feel supported by the lovely staff team at DanceEast.”
The Associate Artists will work regularly onsite at the Jerwood DanceHouse in Ipswich, learning more about DanceEast, taking part in creative professional development workshops, attending key organisational meetings and expanding networks through DanceEast’s wide-reaching community.
Lucy Bayliss says:
“We are genuinely excited about having the opportunity to work with our new Associates over the coming three years. They span a range of genres, specialisms and career stages and will make a rich contribution to our organisation and our communities, as well as benefitting from the support we are able to offer. The artists share a common ambition to make a step change in their practice, as well as sharing in our ambition to further develop the quality and diversity of the artistic offering here in the East of England. We are really looking forward to getting started!”