Announcement: Scratch Renaissance with Chisenhale Dance Space

Image: Scratch Renaissance, courtesy of Chisenhale Dance Space

During a time marked by scarce funding and few opportunities for artists to create freely, Chisenhale Dance Space (CDS) is launching a new initiative designed to provide artists with a platform for creative exploration. Scratch Renaissance will offer artists the opportunity to take part in evenings where ideas and developmental work can be put out into an open space. Collaborating with six artist collectives, one leading each evening, nights will be themed to challenge and grow participants’ creativity.

CDS is known for offering community support to dance artists since the 1980s, fostering an accessible space directed towards positive change for East London’s dance scene. Founded by the X6 Collective in search of an artistic home, CDS has continued the collective’s pattern of openness towards marginalised artists. Scratch Renaissance continues these aims with Scratch evenings being led by local artists including Elevate East, Emergency Chorus and Ensemble Not Found & Halfpace Theatre. With these artists leading the first three evenings, participants will find chances to network alongside pushing creative boundaries. Elevate East will offer a rare interaction between developing work and audience, Emergency Chorus will play with recycling dance material and encouraging participants to return to previous endeavours, whilst Ensemble Not Found & Halfpace Theatre will provide a space for artists to collaborate for the first time.

The 20th March marks the first deadline for artists to apply to show work for the first three evenings of Scratch Renaissance. Additionally, CDS’ workshop On A Shoestring is now open to proposals from artists who wish to share ways to navigate creating and sharing work in today’s challenging climate.

You can follow CDS on Instagram @chisenhaledance and find their website for further updates and information: https://www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk/