Robots in Poole!

Join Neon Dance and Bristol Robotics Lab for our hour-long Prehension Blooms Workshop series (for 8yrs+) where you will meet a series of bio-inspired robots in the making named ‘hōki-mon’ (broom/rake monsters).

Prototype robot in sand, created in collaboration with Bristol Robotics Lab & Ana Rajcevic.

Our robots are soft-robotic creatures that you can become part of. These blossoming beings inhabit a world of sand. You can control your ‘hōki-mon’ to draw and create markings in this strange, desert-like world, or collaborate with the creature, by sculpting sand using your human hands.

Robotics will be open to viewing for all ages between 10am – 4pm. Your input will inform the making of our sand robots for the new work Prehension Blooms, touring this Autumn!

Progress report - Prehension Blooms

Robot design, sketch by Ana Rajcevic.

We’ve been working closely with Bristol Robotics Lab and the artist Ana Rajcevic to develop bio-inspired robots for our new production Prehension Blooms, which is set to premiere this autumn. Our robots have been created using characteristics such as softness, biodegradability and energy self-sustainability informed by collaborator Hemma Philamore’s research in environmental robots, resulting in a novel and innovative approach to their creation and impact on the environment. The general robot design ideas are coming from social insects cooperative collective behaviours. The robots will have telsons constructed of many different, modular parts, which can all move both in unison and separately. The robots will be reactive to touch, light, and proximity: changing movement, and shape depending on their surroundings. Each robot will also have its own housing / cage. These sensory cages from which the robots will emerge have been inspired by social birds nests and fungus. Workshops, talks and test events featuring the robots will be announced over the next few months, watch this space!

Cultural Connectors deliver fantastic responses

Neon Dance recruited 5 Cultural Connectors through an open call in 2021. Each Cultural Connector (CC) attended and helped promote a Neon Dance workshop or talk, which took place in their local area and as part of the role also created their own activity and/or creative response to Neon’s latest work ‘Prehension Blooms’.

We employed Alma Kremnitzer (Oxford), Lilom Valter (Bristol), Kiera Sanderson (Cornwall), Paul Davidson (London) and Deepraj Singh (Bristol) as our 5 Cultural Connectors. Events and creative responses included workshops, films, letter exchanges and collective artworks made with members of the public.

Below is a small selection of our CC responses…

Alma Kremnitzer

'Multifunctional Device' is a short film created by 17 year old Alma Kremnitzer. Alma embarked on a letter writing exchange project that explored the main themes of Prehension Blooms - robotics, loneliness, companionship and belonging. She then created a dance film using the letters as inspiration.

Kiera Sanderson

Kiera Sanderson attended one of our Dance & Robotics workshops that took place at Porthmeor Studios in St Ives and went on to organise her own event in her local park in Falmouth called ‘Leave Your Mark’, with members of the public invited to contribute to a giant canvas throughout the day.

We hope to continue our Cultural Connector programme next year with a new cohort of 16-24 year olds.

Neon welcomes new board members

Neon Dance is excited to welcome two new members to our board of trustees. Sofia Ilyas, Sales & Marketing Director of Nura and Founder of Float PR plus Richard Barnett, Head of Legal at The National Gallery.

Dance & Robotics Workshop Series

Neon Dance at Porthmeor Studios, St Ives in Cornwall

We’ve been running a series of dance & robotics workshops this month, kicking off in St Ives and heading to artsdepot in London this weekend. All our workshops have sold out this month however there’s an opportunity to join us in Bristol on the 28th July with new workshop dates just announced. We’re running a session 10am - 12noon specifically for visually impaired participants then an afternoon workshop 2 - 4pm open to all. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. All workshops are free to attend.

First behind the scenes video for Prehension Blooms!

Here’s the first in a series of behind the scenes videos by Tom Schumann documenting Neon Dance's new work Prehension Blooms, set to premiere in 2022. This video features the artist Ana Rajcevic in her studio in Berlin where prototype designs for our new swarm robots are being created!

Interested in helping us co-design the robots? Join us for one of our upcoming workshops in St Ives (Cornwall), London or Bristol. Head to our events page to find out more…

Neon Dance secures funding!

Empathy by Neon Dance. Image by Camilla Greenwell

Neon Dance has received public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England to create an original and ambitious contemporary dance work with a unique offer to audiences. 

‘Prehension Blooms’ will be a one of a kind, interactive performance experience with attendees free to roam, encountering 5 dancers and a beguiling, playful robot community. By moving, sitting, lying down and congregating the audience will influence all aspects of the performance.

“Many of us have been isolated in 2020, with Prehension Blooms we’re aiming to bring people back together. We’re designing tele-operated robots as part of the production so that remote audiences can join in, interacting with physical audience members, robots and performers”. - Adrienne Hart, Artistic Director, Neon Dance

There will be the opportunity to join Neon Dance and help co-create the ‘swarm’ robots for the production during a series of workshops which will take place across the UK. Keep an eye on the company website and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to find out how to take part.  

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, said:

“We are delighted to award Neon Dance £86,000 for Prehension Blooms Creation, Community Engagement and Company Development through our National Lottery Project Grants funding programme. This significant investment will allow Neon Dance to reach new audiences, specifically older people and young people, to help combat loneliness. Prehension Blooms is an original and ambitious project that will give audiences a unique experience, combining dance with robotics. Arts Council believe in creating new opportunities for every person in England to get creative and enjoy brilliant culture, which is why we’re so pleased to support this project from Neon Dance”.

Created in partnership with an award winning international team including the visual artist Ana Rajcevic, choreographer Adrienne Hart, composer Sebastian Reynolds and technologist Hemma Philamore, Prehension Blooms is set to premiere in Autumn 2021.

Alongside Arts Council England, Prehension Blooms has been commissioned by South East Dance and supported by TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities) at the University of Oxford, South West Creative Technology Network and Studio Wayne McGregor through the QuestLab Network programme.

Call out for Executive Producer

Neon Dance performing on Teshima Island in Japan for Setouchi Art Triennale 2019. Photo credit: Miles Hart Photography

Summary 

• Deadline to apply: Friday 12th February 2021, 6pm

• Freelance, part-time position (2 days / 16 hours per week).

• Initial contract period: 8-months

• Remote working / flexible hours

About the role

The Executive Producer (EP) will support the company with a focus on strategy, income generation, finances, partnerships and product development.

One aim of this post is to underpin Neon Dance and to support the continued development of the organisation building and sustaining organisational systems and policies that have recently been implemented; the EP works with the Artistic Director (AD) and the board to develop the business plan, diversify income and partnership streams. Key responsibility over the initial 8-month period includes managing and mentoring our Cultural Connectors (young people aged 18-25) alongside Neon’s AD, sustaining and nurturing pre-existing partnerships as well as cultivating new partners both in the UK and internationally.

The role is currently freelance for 2 days a week; this recognises that the whole job description cannot be completed within that capacity, but it has the potential to develop further and fuller in the future. 

Job description / principle responsibilities

To work with the AD to develop and deliver the organisational strategy and co-lead on income generation; the EP has specific responsibilities to seek out, generate, realise and maintain partnerships with funders, commissioners and venues.

Strategy & Planning

• Work with the AD to monitor, revise and co-author the business plan

• Work with the AD to strategically position the organisation in new markets

• Lead on and manage public engagement programmes – including companion works, Cultural Connectors and digital productions 

Income Generation

• With the AD, be responsible for devising and implementing the income generation strategy, ensuring the organisation draws appropriate support from external sources

• With the AD, identify, write, tender and pitch for funding opportunities to support the company’s ambitions and are in-line with ethical considerations

• Support the AD in developing the company’s relationship with and applications to Arts Council England, local authority and trusts and foundations
  

Finance & Operations

• Together with the AD, set and oversee organisational budgets, forecasts and financial scenario planning

• Lead on ensuring diligent cashflow and financial communications within the organisation, drawing up cashflow forecasts and quarterly management accounts

• To service the board, sub-groups and quarterly meetings alongside annual reporting requirements to Companies House and Charity status
  

Partnerships & Advocacy

• Support the AD in growing a portfolio of networks in UK, Europe and Asia – travelling nationally and internationally to attend meetings and activities

• Lead on negotiations with partners and venues, ensuring robust and thorough agreements

• Identify partners and commissioners locally, nationally and internationally that could enhance the work of Neon Dance

Person Specification

Below is a list of the experience, skills and attributes we’re looking for but know that not everyone can meet all of them:

Essential

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with internal and external relationships

• Extensive knowledge (UK, Europe, Asia) and experience of producing (dance, visual art/design and technology) at multiple scales of activity

• Experience of developing partnerships 

• Significant experience of generating income, through fundraising and pitching

• Experience of working accessibly and a belief in the value of public engagement  

• Excellent budgetary and financial management skills 

• Experience of delivering to Arts Council England’s strategy and expectations

Desirable

• Previous senior management role and experience of working strategically, including setting and implementing business plans

• An understanding and experience of the inter/national touring ecosystem

• Experience of marketing and audience development

Person Attributes and Skills

• A demonstrable commitment to equality and inclusivity

• Excellent people management with the ability to inspire and motivate

• Warm, friendly and approachable in order to effectively build collaborations

• The ability to take initiative and recommend ways to develop Neon Dance

• The confidence to work independently but also as part of a team

Fee

Neon Dance can offer a day rate of £200. 

To Apply

Applications should be in the form of a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) sent along with a CV and equal opportunities form to: Ian Abbott (info@neondance.org).

Closing date for applications: Friday 12th February, 6pm. 

Interviews will take place week beginning 1st March, please note this date has been updated from originally advertised. Start date: 15th March 2021.