Compass Commissions, a trio of exciting new dance commissions, will be announced this week by Greenwich Dance and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. The two organisations have created a dynamic partnership to bring a fresh focus on dance in South East London; and Compass Commissions is a major part of a joint programme by the Partnership over three years.

The Partnership is now looking for UK-based dance artists or companies to create three new pieces of work - outdoor or site-sensitive; a theatre-based work and a piece aimed at a family audience.

Each commission will receive a package of support, including performance opportunities, rehearsal facilities and production time and technical support at Laban Theatre, as well as a commission fee of between £5,000 and £7,500.

Kat Bridge, Interim Artistic Director at Greenwich Dance said: "Dance artists offered one of these exciting new commissions will benefit from the support and combined expertise of Greenwich Dance and Trinity Laban, working in partnership. The distinctive facilities on offer at Laban Theatre, Laurie Grove and the Borough Hall will provide a dynamic incubation and production zone for the commissioned artists."

Mirella Bartrip, Head of Dance at Trinity Laban, said: "Compass Commissions is a significant cultural offering not available elsewhere in London - supporting dance makers in the creation of innovative new work and providing them with the opportunity to engage with other artists who will be brought together for this project. The UK is at the forefront of contemporary dance practice, and it is truly wonderful to receive funding to enable us to foster the artists of the future."

Dance artists and companies can apply online at https://tl1.wufoo.eu/forms/compass-commissions/, including a written proposal and videos. Deadlines for submission are -

• Outdoor/site-sensitive work - Monday 25 March 2013 (12 noon)
• One theatre-based work - Friday 5 April 2013 (12 noon)
• One work for a family audience - Friday 5 April 2013 (12 noon).

All applicants will be contacted by 12 April, and shortlisted artists/companies will be invited to pitch their idea to the Compass Commissions selection panel the week commencing 22 April 2013.

Ends

For more information, please contact Susie Haywood, Media Manager at Trinity Laban on 020 8305 9349 or s.haywood@trinitylaban.ac.uk or Lorna Hirst, Marketing and Communications Manager at Greenwich Dance on 020 8293 9741 or lornah@greenwichdance.org.uk

Notes to editors

A dynamic partnership has been created by Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban to provide ground-breaking dance performance, bespoke support for dance artists and an all-embracing programme of community and education work across South East London.

The Partnership attracts National Portfolio funding from Arts Council England (ACE).

The Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban Partnership is also aiming to modernise dance facilities in SE London and to this end Trinity Laban has received ACE funding of £273,200 to establish a Performance Laboratory at the dance theatre and associated studio at Laurie Grove in New Cross. 

The Performance Laboratory will offer the time and space to conceptualise, develop and rehearse dance projects; whilst also providing professional technical support and artistic mentoring.

Trinity Laban's successful capital bid is the first phase of the Partnership's modernisation programme. Greenwich Dance is applying to the third and final round of Arts Council England's capital grants funding to make significant improvements to its home, The Borough Hall in Greenwich.

Other supporters of the Performance Laboratory are the Garfield Weston Foundation, an anonymous Trinity Laban benefactor, the Foyle Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation who together have donated a total of £175,000 to the project. 

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