ODF Meeting – Mon 15 January 2018

Claire Thompson (chair)Tei Williams Notes

In Attendance: Katrina Robinson, Anja Meinhardt, Leslie Tomkins, Andrew Wood, Euton Daley, Naomi Morris, Cecilia Macfarlane, Claire Thompson, Tei Williams, Lara Hayward, Segolene Tarte, Jenny Parrot, LizzieSpeight

Apologies: Emma-Jane Grieg and Jane Connolly.

EVOLUTION

ODF is half way through its funding and the purpose of this meeting is to review ODF's progress.

ODF MEMBERSHIP

Lots of questions have been asked about this. It is ODF's first Membership scheme; costing £1 a month to join. There were a few teething problems however the benefits have been made clearer and posted it on the website. CT talked the meeting through the points again.

What is the value to independent dancers? It's really up to the individual to make the decision, but the suggestion was raised that having access to reduced space hire would be the most relevant benefit to independent dance artists. A decision to taken for CT to approach a number of venues with good spaces for dance to explore the option of reduced hire rate for ODF members.

What is entry point criteria? ODF needs the Steering Group to clarify this today following this meeting. It needs to be inclusive, living and/or working in Oxfordshire.

Does ODF need to change its name from Oxford to Oxfordshire. If so constitution needs editing.Discussion / decision needed by steering group.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

There are 3 rounds a year. The next round opens 7 Feb and is concurrent with Cultural Fund. Following every round CT & ED will meet withartists who request a slot for 20 minutes about funding / funding applications. See website for dates (INCLUDING funding session in March with Denise Perry (Dance Relationship Manager) from Arts Council England about Grants for the Arts. NB: Please let us know if you are planning to attend.

TRAVEL SUBSIDY

Money is there to be accessed. Travel is for undertaking professional development opportunities. Steering Group to review what exactly it is to fund. Any changes will go on the website.

INTENSIVE UPDATES

This is a strand of Evolution that has not fully developed yet. ODF is looking to change this and now exploring relevant companies/artists to lead workshops/intensives. The funding is for individual workshops/residencies not a series. ACE will not subsidise regular dance classes.

ODF will widen the call-out for suggestions of artists to all on its mailing list.

REVIEW OF NEW ODF EVENTS

CREATIVE LABS -Therehave had 3 so far. No more planned as they need reviewing. Suggestion to merge Informal sharingsand Creative Labs. Suggestion too for someone to ‘hold’the space as Ana did brilliantly (with the previous ChoreoCollective sessions). It could be a different person each time. The steering group will discuss this.

Emails that need feedback should have ACTION REQUIRED...in the subject. Timings always an issue, maybe a lunchtime would be an option.This will be reviewed as it continues.

INFORMAL NETWORKING - The idea is great, and ways to made this work are to be discussed at the Steering Group meeting. Suggestion also of maybe a pre-show meeting at venues.

KEY DATES 2018

Are on the website. First Call Moving With the Times - to be shared.

STEERING GROUP UPDATE

Current members are Anja Meinhardt, ClaireThompson, Euton Daley, Emma-Jane Grieg, Jane Connolly and Tei Williams who will be joined by Jenny Parrot, Segolene Tarte and Lara Hayward from today. Ana Barbour, who died late last year, was an original member of Steering Group and was a massive support to everyone.

FOCUSSED SUB NETWORKS

There are a lot of artist that work with over 60s and intergenerationally in Oxfordshire. ODFhas had a brainstorming via email about what opportunities are considered most needed by practitioners – outcomes will be developedas part of a supported Network.

It was suggested that a Teacher sub network would be beneficial too.Steering Group to discuss other groups.

SE REGIONAL NETWORKS HUB UPDATE

There are 8 networks of which ODF is one, across the region. ACE recently supported a weekend which Anja and Euton attended to represent ODF. There were sessions from Denise Perry from ACE on funding, Anna Sexton on management tour and matrix on values and principles for work, Darren Walter from Cornerstone about touring booking. There was discussion about the challenges facing each network. One of the key ones was how to get more people involved taking the pressure off the same old people. This first weekend was interesting but needs to be evaluated. The next one is in April.

Anja and Euton will arrange a time to share the weekend findings with ODF. ODF will send the weekend link out to members.

AOB

CT said that Moving With The Times will be dedicated to the memory of Ana Barbour. People around the table said how much they missed her.Some kind of tribute event will take place in 2018 for Ana – discussions are continuing about that.

PPL Licensing - Katrina dates for 10% discount. Katrina to send TW details.

Susie Crow is encouraging people to write a tribute to Ana Barbour on her Oxford Dance Writers website.

Steering Group is to consider funding of an artist who worked with Ana. Contact via Lizzie Speight.

The Homeless Walk in Oxford will end in performance. Anyone one interested in getting involved on the 28th January should contact LizzieSpeight. TW to publicise.

Segolene reported her Evolution funding had given her 4 x 4 hours of rehearsalspace at Clarence Mews, plus meeting time with the other 5 solo artists as part of the residency plus mentoring sessions. She felt it had been a milestone in the progression of her work.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Steering Group have set next meeting date as Thursday 24th May 2018 (Venue TBC)