With a clear need for more ambition and creativity in this sector The Place proposed a project that will test how existing performance work made for adults can be made suitable for a younger audience with some adaptations. By supporting dance makers in a dialogue with young people, the best dance being made in Europe can be opened up to young audiences.

Benefitting both the young audiences, who will experience high quality dance to open their minds to the potential of live performance, as well as artists and organisations who can diversify their family programme without major investments or new communication strategies, the project will be developed through collaborations from 4 European partner organisations who will generate intercultural dialogue, create international exchange opportunities for artists and share their expertise and learning. The two-year timeline allows partners to learn from each other, and apply strategies tested in one local context, in their own.

A selection panel made up of artistic leads from each partner organisation will select work from early career makers that pushes the boundaries of traditional performance for young people, represent the diversity of young audiences and is adaptable to a range of performance spaces. Out of four selected works, there will be at least one suitable for age ranges Early years (3-5), Primary (6-11) and Teenage (12-15).

The project encourages entrepreneurialism, smart investment and financial sustainability for artists and organisations and it responds to the growing marginalisation of culture and arts education in Europe at a time when the potential of culture to widen the mind, explore difference and foster tolerance and understanding is most needed.

Partners & Funders

Shape It is led by The Place (EDN member, UK), together with Comune di Bassano del Grappa (EDN member, Italy), Tanec Praha (EDN member, Czech Republic) and Annantalo (Finland).

It receives funding from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.