An open call for a new Artist Residencies programme has been announced today by Sadler’s Wells; available to artists who have five years or more experience or who have recently embarked on a career in dance. 

The Artist Residencies aim to support independent artists and get them back into studios to develop their skills. The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the freelance dance sector in particular and the open call is hoping to respond to this. 

On offer from Sadler’s Wells will be a week-long residency for five independent artists, along with a grant of £2000 and a bursary of £500. The residency will be scheduled at a suitable time between May and November 2021, and is designed to help artists to think, play and develop their practice with the support of Sadler’s Wells, should it be required. 

In order to be eligible, applicants will need to be independent artists registered as self-employed, have five years professional experience and be residents of Great Britain. Applications will be reviewed by an Artist Panel made up of three Sadler’s Wells associates; Vidya Patel (Young Associate), L’atisse Rhoden (New Wave Associate) and Hetain Patel (New Wave Associate). Producer Robyn Cabaret will also appear on the panel.

In order to apply, an expression of interest must be made digitally through a written or video audio statement via the Sadler’s Wells website before midnight on Wednesday 31 March 2021 here. 

In addition to the above open call, there will also be three Micro Residencies for those who began a career in dance in 2019 or 2020, whose progression may have been stalled or impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Micro Residencies will take place over two consecutive days, again scheduled between May and November 2021. Recipients of the Micro Residencies will receive a grant of £800 as well as a bursary of £200. Applicants must have experience in readiness for a career in dance and must be a Great British resident. Successful artists will be offered three planning meetings with Sadler’s Wells staff to support their residency.

Producer Robyn Cabaret said: “Offering support to artists has always been a key part of Sadler’s Wells’ mission. I have been particularly inspired by the resilience and tenacity shown by independent artists over the past year, despite the devastatingcircumstances. We hope this offer will go some way to contributing to vital ongoing support of some of the artists we are already connected with and provide an opportunity to welcome and hear from voices that are new to Sadler’s Wells. It’s a delight to offer support artists to have agency to think and play without the pressure of a particular outcome.”