DanceXchange and Dance4 have come together in a formal merger, to form new organisation, FABRIC.
FABRIC combines the two organisations’ knowledge, skills and expertise in dynamic programmes and projects, to form one new strategic organisation.
Working as one organisation FABRIC can be more ambitious for dance made, produced and nurtured in the Midlands. FABRIC’s vision is to inspire people through dance, transforming lives, communities and places.
The merger builds on the strengths of our two successful organisations. We are combining our complementary knowledge, skills and expertise in dynamic, expansive programmes, to form a new, single, strategic organisation, FABRIC.
Jointly, Dance4 and DanceXchange can be more ambitious for dance made, produced and nurtured in the Midlands.
Our vision is to inspire people through dance, transforming lives, communities and places. We believe dance is remarkable and is vital in shaping the future. FABRIC will strive to inspire, increase and diversify engagement, co-create with the extraordinary people of the region, encourage creative leadership, develop talent, and celebrate the impact of dance and its place in public life.
Collaborating in recent years has led us to conclude that there are significant creative, economic and strategic benefits for the art form, and both organisations, to be derived from coming together in a formal merger. By taking responsible, radical action, we can free up and attract new resources to actively invest in artists, the development of the art form, and programmes that increase engagement.
We are joining together
Paul Russ – CEO of FABRIC says:
“This new approach will breathe new life into dance, creating unique, thrilling and ambitious programmes, contributing to the international arts offer through a rich and diverse programme grown in the Midlands. I look forward to working with the team, partners and the people of the region to realise the opportunity to create a renewed platform for dance and cultural offer for the people of the Midlands.
“We’re taking a bold step to a new future. Seizing the moment to build on our collective knowledge and success, and the legacy of major events in the region to realise new opportunities and growth for dance.”
FABRIC’s work will make full use of our collective teams, relationships, resources, knowledge and experience. FABRIC will operate and grow from our existing sites in Nottingham and Birmingham, working with our existing teams, working with and for artists, audiences, and communities in the Midlands.
FABRIC celebrates our region, our communities, and creatives. FABRIC is connectivity, collaboration, making and production. FABRIC is people, places and potential. It makes a bold ambitious future possible, creating a commissioning centre of scale to transform dance and dancing, in and beyond the Midlands.
Find out more about Dance4 and follow www.fabric.dance as we begin our journey together
FABRIC FAQs
FABRIC is formed from a position of relative strength and relative financial certainty. This is a coming together rooted in choice and opportunity rather than necessity. Since 2017, the two organisations have been collaborating; asking searching questions of each other and testing the potential for growth in ambition and scale in dance, creating a platform to achieve greater reach and depth in the collaboration with artists and audiences. We believe now is the right moment to make this change.
The work, people and resources of both organisations continue into the forming of FABRIC. Dance4 and DanceXchange have transferred all assets to the new charitable company FABRIC, and the relationships we have with partners, artists, audiences will continue. Over time the existing company names will be superseded by FABRIC.
The CEO of FABRIC will be Paul Russ, who was Chief Executive/Artistic Director of Dance4.
Debbie Jardine, the Interim CEO at DanceXchange, has worked closely with Paul since 2017 to encourage more sustainable approaches to growth and development with and for the sector, and to shape the business model for FABRIC. With Debbie’s interim role at an end, Paul has taken on the role of CEO of the new organisation.
Our intention is to bring about greater opportunities to invest and support artists in the development of their practice and careers. We will be more transparent and inclusive in our decision making and ensure all opportunities are appropriately resourced and remunerated.
The public and our contribution to public life are one of the key reasons for the creation of FABRIC. We will strive to increase engagement across all programmes and to see the public influence our decision making to ensure we represent and champion the communities we serve in the creation and delivery of our work.
Festivals will be a vital part of our programme. In the first year of FABRIC, both Birmingham International Dance Festival and Nottdance will take place, in collaboration with a rich mix of partners and reaching out to new, young, and diverse audiences.
FABRIC will operate from both locations, in Nottingham and Birmingham, building on the programmes and audiences of Dance4 and DanceXchange in these locations and beyond.
Of course, names will change and over time new programmes will emerge, but we believe this change is positive and so nothing should be lost, only gained. FABRIC is created with the 60 years of combined knowledge and experience of both organisations leading us towards increasing engagement and sector support opportunities.
If you don’t currently work with Dance4 or DanceXchange, we want to hear from you and if you currently work with us, you’ll be part of our conversations and actions to realise the ambitions enshrined in bringing FABRIC about.
