Deadline: Friday 14 July, 11:00
Dance Base Scotland are 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 2023/24 mentor, dance artist Solène Weinachter.
The DEBS programme provides creative mentorship and practical support for emerging movement 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, education or practical experience 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 and this year we are welcoming choreographer and performer Solène Weinachter to the role!
“During this year, I would like to support you in finding out what a sustainable practice as a dance artist means – practically, physically, creatively and politically. As well as being challenged and gaining new knowledge, the aim of this year is to support you in discovering/working with what is alive for you (both as an artist and a human) and make that lead your professional choices.” — Solène
By becoming a DEBS member, you will receive the following from September 2023 to June 2024:
- One to one mentoring from experienced dance artist Solène Weinachter
- Two week-long group residencies at Dance Base with Solène and the other DEBS members
- A residency fee of £600 per residency week
- 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
- Practical advice and guidance from the Dance Base team
- Support with access related needs as required
Deadline: Friday 14 July, 11:00
Interviews: Friday 21 July
Applicants informed: by Monday 24 July
To find out more, please download our application pack below and complete the Online Application Form 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 Kirsty Somerville, Head of Professional Programme, Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk
About Solène
Solène was born in Paris. She formally trained in the regional conservatoire of Lyon to then pursue her training at London Contemporary Dance School where she obtained a BA(Hons) first class degree and an MA in contemporary dance and performance.Solène first joined Scottish Dance Theatre under the direction of Janet Smith in 2007 where she worked with choreographers such as Hofesh Shechter, Ina Christel Johannessen, Kate Weare and Rachel Lopez de la Nieta to name just a few. This is also where she first worked with Ben Duke and Joan Clevillé with who she went on developing two long lasting artistic relationships.
Story-telling, dance and laughter have been at the heart of a number of critically acclaimed pieces performed all over the world. This includes Juliet & Romeo by Ben Duke for which she was awarded best female performer by the National Dance Awards Critic Circle in 2020.
Solène has gone full circle by coming back to Scottish Dance Theatre under the direction of Joan Clevillé as an associate artist. Since September 2019 she has worked with Neve Harrington, Meytal Blanaru and created Antigone, Interrupted with Joan Clevillé. Solène’s freelance path also includes working with Gecko (directed byAmit Lahav) and Vera Tussing.Solène is currently rehearsal directing for Oona Doherty and creating anew solo work, AFTER ALL.Solène co-founded music/dance Collective Endeavours in 2010.
