“Wainsgate is a brilliant context to make dance work in and I cherish my time there.”
Roberta Jean. Artist
Wainsgate Dances is dedicated to holding space for artists to practice, make and share their work.
Residencies are at the heart of our programme.
“Wainsgate is a contagious place in which anyone who passes through seems to contract a deeper affection for dance and artistic practices.
It’s a place that cushions artists so that they can afford to take risks in their dancing and in doing so, creates space to artistically jump and fail.
Between the chapel and its neighbours, from the horses to the Post office, there’s a communal chemistry that makes Wainsgate an undoubtedly special place to dance and be danced.” Connor Scott
Artists come at different points in their process, and their time in the studio and the surrounding rural area - away from other pressures and distractions, makes a spacious, concentrated and supportive context for exploration and discovery.
There is an enthusiastic, curious and supportive local audience who enjoy having an informal window on the processes of resident artists, many of whom have shared early stages of their work as a means of airing ideas and to have some reflection on what they’re working on from outside.
"One thing that I got…was a rare sense of trust, combined with curiosity from the organisation that allowed those two pieces to begin in a space of true openness…
Wainsgate is the perfect combination of local and international, spacious yet held…”
Seke Chimutengwende
At different times, we have received funding and support from Arts Council England, Sadlers Wells Theatre as well as raising funds through Open Practice. Artists have also supported their residencies with their own resources, or with funding from projects they are working on.
We currently operate without funding, and can only offer self-funded residencies at this time, but we are always keen for artists to come, so please do get in touch to see what’s possible
Contact Rob at wainsgatedances@gmail.com to find out more
Past residents have included:
Lisa Nelson; Connor Scott; Serafine1369; Áine Reynolds; Olive Hardy; Pepa Ubera; Madinah Farhannah-Thompson; Eve Stainton; Kate Brown; Lauren Potter; Julie Cunningham & Company; Ella Tighe; Temitope Ajose; Bun Kobayashi; Cooperative Dance; Charlie Morrissey; Alejandra Gissler, Théïa Maldoom; Annie Edwards; Katye Coe; Markéta Stránská; Seke Chimutengwende; Vanessa Grasse, Hannah Buckley; Alexandrina Hemsley; Wendy Houstoun; Samir Kennedy; Leah Marojević; Florence Peake; Bakani Pick-Up; Anushiye Yarnell; Theo Clinkard; Roberta Jean; Claricia Parinusa; Andrea Buckley; Neil Callaghan; Janina Rajakangas; Lucy Suggate; Charlie Ford; Siobhan Davies; Patricia Okenwa; Inari Hulkkonen; Colin Poole; Gillie Kleiman; Crystal Zillwood; Grace Surman; Jane Mason; Soul Roberts; Makisig Akin & Anya Cloud; Matthias Sperling; Natifah White; Northern Rascals; Jenna Unwin; Deborah Light; Nicola Singh; Gemma Higginbotham; Ali Matthews; Elisa Vassena; Katy Hewison; Hannah Parsons;
