Guiding principles
Dance City exists to support and drive the development of dance. They work with dance makers and choreographers to support their practice through commissioning residencies, talks, workshops, exchanges et al. They work with the regional community, including delivering 65 classes each week in a variety of dance styles at the dancehouse, they also work in schools and with various groups within the community to support healthy and fulfilling lives. They work intensively in the formal education sector, delivering BTEC, BA and MA qualifications with over 200 students in the building daily.
History
Dance City was formed officially in 1991. Originally it operated from a converted warehouse but in 2006, as part of the cultural development of Newcastle and Gateshead it moved into its new purpose built premises. Dance City has supported a large number of artists over the years, commissioning many pieces of new work to be made; leading on 3 major international dance festivals in the city, delivering British Dance Edition twice (and again in 2020). It has always been at the heart of the community, regularly attracting over 40.000 attendances at the dance classes each year and has lead on the development of formal dance education in the region. It is the biggest dancehouse in the north of England and is responsible for dance development in the whole of the North East region, which hosts over 2,5 million people.
Building and facilities
Dance City has a purpose build Dance House in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has 5 studios with range in size, which are fully sprung, heated and with high quality lighting and sound systems. The theatre stage is 15 x 12 m in size and it has seating for 254 people. Dance City has an office space and also hire out 6 purpose built offices to dance and theatre companies. It has a café and a large social atrium space for people to meet and gather.