Dance, Learning & Participation Network

Mission:

The Dance, Learning & Participation Network’s mission is to support dance professionals working in learning and participation roles at every stage of their career. The network is committed to equality and inclusivity and values the pooling of knowledge, skills and contacts of members nationally.

Delegates help to steer the themes of the meetings which are responsive to the current landscape. Experienced professionals are invited to present and lead discussions on specific issues at each meeting and help support the sector. We also offer a strong national network where we discuss ideas, good practice, support each other, learn about new opportunities and get to know about each other’s work. 

The network is run entirely on a voluntary basis, and meets 4 times a year online, usually on a Thursday morning for 1 to 2 hours. 

‘We will offer a chance to build a supportive community of dance professionals. Dance, Learning and Participation network offers a chance for us to share resources and build a cohesive network. Enabling our sector to develop greater resilience by working together.’

Vision:

• To build a network of dance professionals through networking, training, inspiring opportunities and events
• To support dance professionals at every stage of their career
• To produce one physical event each year when possible

How does the group work?

• It is free to become a member. 
• Training, networking and events take place quarterly online and in person.
• Delegates must be working freelance, full or part time in the dance sector.
• Delegates must contribute and attend meetings regularly.
• The coordination team are voluntary posts and are rotated every two years. They share the dates for the meetings, agenda and actions. They listen to the delegate's feedback and requests. They also landscape and design the meetings, engage guest speakers and manage the training opportunities.

To join, please email: dance.lpnetwork@gmail.com

Online meetings 2024

• 28/03/2024 -  Environmental Sustainability 
• 06/06/2024 - Co-creation and co-production
• Sept (Precise date TBC) - Sector meeting, possibly in person and online hybrid event. 
• 21/11/2024 - Network meeting and future theme TBC

To join, please email: dance.lpnetwork@gmail.com

The current coordinators are Gemma Griffiths & Alice Odin.
Please note the network is run voluntarily and they cannot relay offers/job opportunities to members.

Gemma Griffiths

Gemma is a Producer in Participation and Events at East London Dance, a Lecturer, Teacher and previously a Director of Learning, leading an Expressive Arts programme in Music, Dance, Drama and Art & Design in secondary and further education. She is a passionate speaker, directing and creating programmes that demonstrate and champion the impact of the arts in formal and non-formal settings. She earned her PGCE and MA from The Royal Academy of Dance and trained as a dancer at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Gemma has developed comprehensive long-term learning and engagement programmes across a range of charities and organisations both nationally and internationally. These include East Wall with East London Dance, MADD Literacy Project with the V&A and Punch Drunk’s first secondary school Literacy Project.

Gemma has successfully won grants totalling £500K+ and developed successful strong ongoing partnerships with a diverse range of organisations, including The Barbican, Razzmatazz, Avant Garde Dance, Hackney Orchestra, Almeida Theatre, V&A, LIFT, Historic Royal Palace, The Prince’s Trust, The Hackney Learning Trust and many more.

Alice Odin

Alice has worked in the arts and cultural sector for over twenty years, managing learning and participation programmes in dance organisations (Shobana Jeyasingh Dance), museums (The Courtauld Gallery, Ben Uri Gallery) and community programmes (Co-Production Collective, Roehampton Arts). She also works as a freelance project manager and lecturer for UK and international institutions.