Head of Catalyst
Head of Catalyst
Job Pack
To apply for the post, please complete the application form and equal opportunities form, marking the envelope with the code DB-CAT16 and send it to:
Stef Skinner
Finance and Administration Officer
Dance Base
14-16 Grassmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2JU
OR
Send by e-mail to:-
The closing date for applications is 10am, Monday 29 February
Please do not submit CVs, as these are not accepted.
We thank you for your interest in Dance Base and look forward to receiving your application.
Dance Base is an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sectors of the community.
History
Dance Base, National Centre for Dance, is a powerhouse for dance in Scotland. Since 1994, under the Artistic Direction of Morag Deyes MBE, Dance Base has continued to thrive and has welcomed over 1 million people through its doors. Annually we work with hundreds of professional dancers; bring dancers and choreographers from across the world to present their work at our critically acclaimed Fringe programme; and support companies to tour work nationally and internationally.
Located in Edinburgh’s historic Grassmarket, the £6.4m centre caters for dancers of all ages and abilities in state of the art facilities, providing an accessible programme of activities to a diverse public who can enjoy a sociable way of keeping physically fit and developing new creative skills. Our four world-class studios provide an inspirational environment in which to create and participate.
The building was opened by our Royal Patron, Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay KT, KG in 2001. One month later, our Artistic Patron, the internationally renowned choreographer Mark Morris, celebrated Dance Base by creating and dedicating a new work performed by his company at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh.
The Vision
Our vision is: to support new, emerging and established dancers and choreographers across a range of styles. We respond to the changing needs of the professional dance community, cultivating awareness of choreographic trends and teaching styles. We are unfailing in our commitment to community engagement and widening participation. And we provide a hub that connects the very best creative talent locally, nationally and internationally and gets more people dancing.
Strategic aims and objectives
Dance Base’s strategic aims and objectives are to:
· Provide support for new, emerging and established dance artists, dancers and choreographers across a range of styles, ensuring that they reach their full potential by giving them the opportunity to develop original, ground breaking work
· Commission, produce and present exceptional choreography and dance performances across a wide range of dance forms
· Strengthen our connection with audiences and participants and developing new dance audiences for the future
· Increase access and opening up the enjoyment of dance to the whole community
· Ensure that all activities take place within a safe, secure and appropriate environment and that the finances are sourced and managed in an efficient, transparent and professional manner.
Achieving success in these areas will enable us to enhance our reputation as a National Centre of Dance, both within the professional and participatory dance communities. We will continue to be recognised as a centre of excellence within the dance community and the sector in Scotland, Europe and beyond.
We will continue to deliver, develop, expand and enhance:
· highly professional programmes of work, including: festivals, residencies, training for young graduates, professional technique classes, production and management support and performance opportunities
· a diverse range of participatory programmes, comprising courses and classes for diverse communities, and a series of distinct projects happening inside and outside the venue aimed at inspiring and engaging those people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in dance activities
Our values of artistic excellence, creativity, inclusivity, responsibility and participation determine what we do and how we do it.
Where we are now
Dance Base is a special place. Over the past 20 years it has established a reputation for artistic excellence, supporting and developing new, emerging and established dancers, dance artists and choreographers across a range of styles. Crucially, it has committed to widening access and participation, providing diverse, inclusive and highly valued dance programme experience for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Currently, Dance Base operates across two interconnected programmes of work under the leadership of Chief Executive, Jenny Langlands and Artistic Director, Morag Deyes MBE.
Dance Base’s mission is: to encourage and celebrate the potential for dance in everyone. This mission is delivered through two interconnected programmes: the Professional Programme and Participation Programme.
The present and future content of these two programmes confirms our support for dancers and choreographers at every stage of their development, and underlines our commitment to widening access and increasing participation.
Over the coming years, we have ambitious plans in place to extend its impact, while maintaining our existing portfolio of programmes, putting new emphasis on:
· providing support for new, emerging and established dance artists, dancers and choreographers across a range of styles, ensuring that they reach their full potential by giving them the opportunity to develop original, ground breaking work
· commissioning , producing and presenting exceptional choreography and dance performances across a wide range of dance forms
· strengthening our connection with audiences and participants and developing new dance audiences for the future
· increasing access and open up the enjoyment of dance to the whole community
· ensuring that all activities take place within a safe, secure and appropriate environment and the finances are sourced and managed in an efficient, transparent and professional manner
Dance Base combines professionalism and artistic excellence with a strong sense of community. We benefit enormously from Creative Scotland’s core grant of £408,000 per annum and greatly appreciate the unfailing support that it has provided in recent years and the very helpful advice and guidance that it provides.
Professional Programme
Dance Base has delivered a strong professional programme aimed at supporting and developing the professional dance community in Scotland, as well as nurturing new and emerging talent. This has a number of key elements:
· Residency programme: two studios are dedicated for the exclusive use of dance professionals throughout the year. The studios are used from 9am until 5pm each day, to create new work either alone, or with a company. Professional dancers also deliver and attend professional classes.
· Dancers Emerging Bursary Scheme: a ground breaking initiative which offers non-financial bursaries to four graduate dancers annually. These young graduates are supported with training, guidance and an essential bridge between college or conservatoire and the challenging professional life of a full time dancer / choreographer. The recipients of these awards are mentored by a carefully selected and experienced dance practitioner who can meet their development needs.
· Catalyst Dance Management: a unique resource for the professional dance community in Scotland, contributing vital producing and project management skills to smaller companies and emergent artists. Catalyst lies at the core of Dance Base’s work with professional dance artists and is at the centre of its commitment to support new, emerging and established artists reach their full potential. Additionally, Catalyst guides individual artists and companies who wish to create new work, thereby contributing to the entire sector becoming stronger, more confident and more artistically compelling.
· The Fringe programme: brings together dance artists from across the world, giving Scottish artists the opportunity to perform their work alongside international artists and to engage with new and established audiences on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
· Showcases: we deliver intimate events, giving dance artists and companies the opportunity to present work in development to invited audiences.
· International mentoring: offering mentoring support to dance artists, choreographers and companies on the international circuit.
Participation Programme
Two key areas are delivered as part of the participation programme:
· Courses and classes programme: we deliver over 100 weekly classes per week, over three terms, to members of the public. Classes and special customised workshops are programmed for all levels from absolute beginner to advanced participants, and for all ages from babies to senior citizens. Classes are run as progressive courses week-by-week or as drop-in sessions designed to fit with busy schedules, and are delivered by experienced professional teachers in our world-class studios at accessible prices. Approximately 1,000 people access these classes every week.
· Education and outreach programme: we deliver a range of trailblazing dance related workshops, projects and residencies to a variety of people across the community. We are continuously expanding our links into the community by providing dance experiences that stimulate creativity, learning, health and well-being, for those unable to come to the centre as a result of physical, financial or social barriers.
Head of Catalyst
Reporting To: Chief Executive
Responsible for: Programmes Manager
Key relationships: Artistic Director
Marketing and Communications Managers
Head of Finance
Head of Operations and Business Development
Programmes Assistant
Development Manager
Catalyst is integral to Dance Base’s Professional Programme, and is a unique resource for the professional dance community in Scotland, contributing vital producing and project management skills to artists at all stages in their careers. Catalyst lies at the core of Dance Base’s work with professional dance artists and is at the centre of its commitment to support new, emerging and established artists reach their full potential. Additionally, Catalyst guides individual artists and companies who wish to create new work, thereby contributing to the entire sector becoming stronger, more confident and more artistically compelling.
Catalyst works with artists at different stages of their professional life.Many are just beginning to make their own work or developing their artistic vision, whereas some are long-established and might be undergoing a period of change.Catalyst’s approach is open and flexible – offering a supportive environment where the conditions are responsive to the needs of the individual artist regardless of dance style.
This is achieved by providing expert advice, and supporting artists to navigate the next phase of their career. Catalyst works closely with a portfolio of professional dance artists and companies, as well as reaching more broadly to support the sector through essential programmes such as Navigate and bespoke advisory sessions.
Dance Base has been delivering this programme of work for over seven years. Since the project’s inception it has achieved considerable success working with a range of artists in the creation and production of new work. Most recently we have worked with Curious Seed and Janis Claxton Dance, with whom we have produced and toured work to prestigious venues across the world. Additionally, Catalyst has supported a wide range of artists, including: Karl Jay-Lewin, Colette Sadler (Stammer Productions), Tamsyn Russell, Anna Krzystek and Ashley Jack, to create high-quality work for international festivals and a wide range of venues across the country. Over the coming years Dance Base has ambitious plans to continue to develop and deliver this programme of work and build on its recent success.
Job purpose
The Head of Catalyst is a strategic role within Dance Base and part of the senior management team, responsible for delivering high quality producing and management support to Scotland-based independent dance artists and companies.
Objectives of the Role
· To provide a range of management and producing support to Scotland-based independent dance artists
· To provide career advice and guidance to independent dance artists based in Scotland
· To provide small / mid and large-scale production and touring support for dance artists and companies based in Scotland
· To manage the Programmes Manager and support this role in the delivery of a range of high quality international festivals, events and showcases
Main Responsibilities
· To support dance artists in the development, production, creation and touring of new work by providing advice and guidance on a variety of levels including: identifying touring opportunities, advising on deals and contractual arrangements, budgeting, connecting artists and companies with venues and festivals and supporting the preparation of funding applications
· To work with Dance Base’s Artistic Director to develop and implement a new Associate Artists Scheme
· To work with the Artistic Director and ensure dance artists who are presenting work as part of the other strands of Dance Base’s programmes are supported, such as: Dance Base’s award-winning Fringe programme, NordDance and showcases
· To take an active interest in all strands of Dance Base’s professional programmes, including the residency programme
· To ensure Catalyst artists have access to adequate rehearsal space by working with other members of the team
· To seek opportunities for dance artists and companies and represent and profile their work where appropriate
· To line manage and support the Programmes Manager
· To work with the Chief Executive and Head of Finance to set an annual budget for the department including: income targets for the management of services and be responsible for reaching agreed targets and agreeing expenditure
· To work with the Chief Executive and Development Manager in creating a plan to ensure the financial sustainability of the Catalyst programme
· To advocate on behalf of Dance Base and Dance Base Catalyst artists and companies, by representing them to the wider sector
· To deputise for the Artistic Director and Chief Executive by attending sharings, events, performances and funder / stakeholder meetings as required
· To attend senior management and staff meetings
· To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of the Head of Catalyst by the Chief Executive
· To prepare reports for the Board and Chief Executive as and when requested
· To maintain a positive, energetic and creative outlook
Essential Criteria and Qualities
· Experience of producing and tour management in the performing arts, both nationally and internationally
Experience in working with professional artists and companies throughout the producing process – from conception to completion
· Strong negotiation skills
· Experience of managing budgets
· Knowledge of the UK funding landscape