"We've gone from strength to strength and are looking forward to continuing our success in future years"
Indepen-dance, The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ. Call 0141 559 4930 or 07980 845902 or email enquiries@indepen-dance.org.uk
Indepen-dance, The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ. Call 0141 559 4930 or 07980 845902 or email enquiries@indepen-dance.org.uk
Indepen-dance was founded in 1996 by Karen Anderson on the principle of access, participation and integration. Karen was Dancer in Residence for Strathclyde Regional Council (as a job share with Jamie Armstrong) and worked on a project named “Disintegration”, bringing together young people with and without disabilities to dance.
The outcome was an overwhelming success and prompted Karen to set up a weekly dance class specifically aimed at people wuth disabilities at the then Strathclyde Arts Centre. Regular attendance from people across Glasgow established a core group of 12 performers.
Over the years Karen brought many established professional musicians, dancers, artists and choreographers to Glasgow work with the company. This enabled the sharing of information, experience and good practice from the field of dance and disability with Indepen-dance participants and teachers.
In 2002 an Indepen-dance Board of Directors was formed with the mission:
To create opportunities for people with diverse abilities and their carers to enjoy, express and fulfil their potential through dance.
Full company aims and values.
Indepen-dance represents the cumulative hard work of a great many people. All of our staff undergo training through Indepen-dance and are developing their skills through the organisation in order to become dance and disability workshop leaders. They all operate through our core programme of classes, outreach projects and performances throughout the year. Find out more about our staff and board members.
The company continues to push boundaries and raise awareness of dance and disability. Much of the credit for this should go to the core team and of course the performers themselves, however we are equally indebted to the donors who have facilitated much of our work.