Calling all dance makers in the North of England! Dance In The North launches new £12,500 commission.

The Dance In The North Consortium are seeking applications from artists based in the North of England for their new co-commission.

About the Dance In The North Co-Commission

Dance in the North is a consortium of dance organisations and venues who are committed to working together to enhance artist development, artist support and dance programming in the North of England. This new co-commission will support the development of a new dance performance that will include public work-in-progress showings at scratch nights throughout 2026-27. The successful artist/company will work with Dance in the North partners to explore presentation opportunities once the work is fully produced.

This pilot scheme offers a £12,500 co-commission supported by Yorkshire Dance, Cheshire Dance, Lancaster Arts, Dance City, Lowry. The wider Dance in the North partnership will support the successful artist/company with advocacy and relationship development.

The artists or company selected for the Dance in the North Co-Commission will benefit from: 

• £12,500 commissioning fee
• Scratch Night performance opportunities in Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds (additional presentation fees available) 
• Research and rehearsal residencies (available at Yorkshire Dance, Dance City, Bradford Arts Centre, Lowry) 
• Technical residency space (available at Lancaster Arts and Dance City) 
• Advice and support on environmental sustainability 
• Advice and support on access and inclusion 
• Mentoring and dramaturgy 
• Advice and support with tour-booking 
• Fundraising and producing support 

To be eligible to apply artists or companies must:

• Have a proven track record in creating dance performance 
• Have a proven track record of successfully managing your own funded projects 
• Live and work in the North of England 

Proposals are selected by a panel through an open call process which takes into account: 

• The originality & strength of the artistic idea 
• The artist/company’s track record
• How feasible and realistic the proposed project is within the scope of the commission 
• A strong commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

How to apply

Please complete and submit the form on Yorkshire Dance's website by 10.00am, 2 March 2026: https://yorkshiredance.com/opportunity/dance-in-the-north-co-commission/

Partners will contact shortlisted artists/companies by 27 March. Initial conversations with shortlisted artists/companies will take place between 20 April and 8 May 2026. Selected artist/company will be announced in May 2026.

Image: Mother by Susan Kempster, Ageless 2024 (c) David Lindsay