Image credit: Paul Andrews
Deadline: Monday 15 June, 11:00
Dance Base is recruiting four emerging dance/movement artists to join the Dancers Emerging Bursary Scheme (DEBS)—a supportive programme of mentoring, guidance and practical support led by Dance Base and our 2026/27 mentor, dance artist Thomas Small!
The DEBS programme provides creative mentorship and practical support for emerging dance artists as they hone their practice and navigate their route forward into the professional dance sector. Running from September to June each year, the programme equips artists who have recently completed a period of training or education in dance, with the skills, knowledge and confidence to embark on the next stage of their artistic journey, while also providing a strong and supportive relationship with Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre of Dance, as they continue to develop their practice and creative work.
Each year the DEBS programme welcomes an independent dance artist to join the programme as the DEBS mentor, enabling the members to benefit directly from their incredible experience and deep understanding of the dance sector.
This year we are welcoming Thomas Small to the role!
By becoming a DEBS member, you will receive the following from September 2026 to June 2027:
- One to one mentoring from experienced dance artist Thomas Small (anticipated as 2 x 2 hour meetings each term = 6 meetings in total across the year)
- Two week-long group residencies at Dance Base with Thomas and the other DEBS members from 5-9 October 2026 and 26 – 30 April 2027
- A residency fee of £650 per residency week – £1,300 in total
- Travel expenses to attend in person activity at Dance Base
- Free weekly professional classes at Dance Base
- Free termly professional workshops at Dance Base
- Free community classes at Dance Base subject to availability
- Free studio space at Dance Base, subject to availability
- Group conversation and exploration with the other DEBS members and Thomas
- Membership of the Work Room
- A paid professional development day at Scottish Dance Theatre (£130 for the day)
- Free place at Rob Heaslip’s MAKERS intensive
- Practical advice and guidance from the Dance Base Head of Professional Programme and the wider team on financial support, logistics and administration to support you now, and moving forward
- An additional budget to cover any access provision as required (this could include, but not limited to, BSL interpretation, contributions towards childcare costs, accessible documents etc.)
Timeline:
- Deadline: Monday 15 June, 11:00
- Interviews: Tuesday 23 – Friday 26 June between 10:00 – 17:00
- Applicants informed: by Wednesday 1 July
- First Gathering: August 2026 during the Dance Base Fringe Festival
- First Residency: 5-9 October 2026
- Second Residency: 26 – 30 April 2027
To find out more, please download our application pack below and complete the Online Application Form to apply.
If you are reading this and wondering if it is for you then please do read through the application pack! If you have any questions or need some assistance with your application our team are here to help, please just get in touch by emailing marlous.lang-peterse@dancebase.co.uk
About Thomas Small
Thomas Small is a Scottish choreographer, director, and educator best known as the founder and Artistic Director of the multi-award-winning Dundee-based dance company Shaper/Caper. His work spans stage and film, often combining contemporary dance with social themes and community engagement. Thomas graduated from London Contemporary Dance School. He has received numerous awards and commissions, including the Bonnie Bird New Choreography Award and the Robin Howard Foundation Commission, and was the first-ever BBC Radio 2 Artist in Residence.
How Thomas will work with DEBS
He says: “As an artist, I am deeply interested in storytelling that is both visually dynamic and emotionally resonant. My creative practice explores themes of identity, transformation, and human connection, using movement as a primary language to express complex ideas while weaving together strong narrative and social commentary.
I’m especially interested in supporting performers, choreographers, and facilitators to bridge the gap between their craft and their leadership. By fostering this dual confidence, I help them evolve into well-rounded, self-assured and intentional practitioners.”
