BrumHour was invited to check out the launch of Dance Hub Birmingham.

via Helen for Dance Hub Birmingham

Dance Hub Birmingham
opens its doors

This week Dance Hub Birmingham studio, a major new asset for dance has officially opened providing an exciting future collective ambition for dance across the region.

Dance Hub Birmingham’s ambition is to actively position Birmingham and the wider region as a globally significant area for dance. Located on the creative campus that is home to Birmingham Hippodrome, DanceXchange and Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the new home for One Dance UK, a major new purpose-built studio officially opened on 12th November.

A boosted investment programme prioritising the development of artists, audiences, the broader dance sector and essential infrastructure, together with a growing and active network of partners from across the region’s dance sector, are key elements in the step change in the development of the art form.

Dance Hub Birmingham is already enabling exciting future ambitions across the region and beyond by growing the capacity for artists of all backgrounds to develop, create, learn, and sustain their practice in Birmingham.   

Dr. Polly Hudson, Birmingham City University, on behalf of Dance Hub Birmingham partners, said:

Dance Hub Birmingham exists to raise the profile of dance as a vital art form for the city and region, highlighting Birmingham as a vibrant international city for dance, and supporting the sector to ensure its sustainability. 

At this exciting time for dance in Birmingham, we are delighted to be able to welcome people into the beautiful new studio facility, and to share Dance Hub Birmingham’s ambitions for how dance can make a significant and continuing impact in our city and beyond.”

The Treasury invested £5m to support the development of a new Dance Hub in Birmingham in 2015, investment entirely for dance. Following open consultation with dance practitioners and networks across the region, it was agreed to dedicate 60% of this funding to a new building to be housed as part of the Birmingham Hippodrome complex. This building plan was further enhanced by investment from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Anita Bhalla, Board Director for Creative Industries at the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) said:

It’s been fantastic to support the development of the new Dance Hub Birmingham studio complex, a facility which will help enhance the region’s rich dance infrastructure.

Ventures like this are a perfect example of how the Local Growth Fund can support the growth and development of the cultural sector, boosting employment, skills and opportunities across the region.”

Of the Treasury investment £2m was set aside for strategic interventions in the sector, primarily: Seed funding of new initiatives addressing gaps in provision; Extending and developing existing artistic practice and activity; Large-scale public events and festivals, reaching out to new audiences; Realising potential that without investment might otherwise not have been possible. 

Dance Hub Birmingham is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) managed by Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange.

The Dance Hub Birmingham CIC works with the voluntary Dance Hub Steering Committee (with a rotating Chair) including: One Dance UK; ACE dance and music; Birmingham City University; Midlands Arts Centre; Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage; Birmingham Dance Network; and independent artists. Dance Hub Birmingham also works in consultation with city partners and the wider West Midlands dance sector.

Find out more at dancehubbirmingham.org.uk. Follow on Twitter twitter.com/dancehub_bham