Inspired by bringing the dance sector together in an event offering time and space for connections, Stretch had its inaugural edition across two days in March 2023, in London.
This new conference & networking event was supported by Arts Council England and co-curated with the dance community, responding to the sector challenges, trends and needs through a programme of panel discussions, professional development workshops, networking opportunities and performances.
Programme
Making Dance More Accessible – Production and Programming
Panel discussion
This conversation brought together two creative producers to share their experience on making dance work more accessible to wider audiences.
Contributors
Lydia Wharf
Independent Dance Producer & Manager
Reece McMahon
Executive Director (Chisenhale Dance Space)
Moderated by
Bernardo Queiros
Co-founder of Stretch, Creative Consultant (Diagonal, BQ)
Location
The Ivy House
Leadership Development for Women in Dance
Professional Development session
A hands-on session for all female professionals working in the dance sector aiming to develop their leadership skills.
Contributors
AWA Dance
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Dancepreneurs and Innovation in the Sector
Panel discussion
This conversation shines a light on new projects in the dance world – bringing inspiring stories and motivation for everyone thinking about launching a new creative business or project.
Contributors
Tamar Dixon
unique tay
Simon Muller-Lotz
Dancers’ Career Development
Moderated by
Bernardo Queiros
Co-founder of Stretch, Creative Consultant (Diagonal, BQ)
Location
The Ivy House
Workshop with dance art journal: Dance Writing
Professional Development session
A creative workshop introducing participants to dance writing.
Contributors
Katie Hagan
Founder & Editor (dance art journal), Royal Academy of Dance
Angel Dust
Dance Producer & Writer (dance art journal)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Fund Your Creative Career – Institutional vs Alternative Funding
Panel discussion
This panel discussion reflects on different funding sources for the dance sector, from government funds to crowdfunding or private funding initiatives.
Contributors
Johana Taylor
Producer (VAULT Creative Arts)
Jessica Walker
Dance Artist and Founder (Trade Creatives)
Moderated by
Bernardo Queiros
Co-Founder of Stretch, Creative Consultant (Diagonal, BQ)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Your Freelance Desk – Accounting and Admin for Freelancers
Professional Development session
A practical session when participants were invited to ask all their questions regarding accounting and admin in the dance sector.
Contributors
Christopher Rodriguez
One Dance UK
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Meet Your Peers
Networking session
A guided networking session for participants to introduce themselves and create new connections.
Facilitated by
Amy Dalton
Creative Producer
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Keynote: Q&A with Beverley Glean MBE
Panel discussion
A session introducing the work and legacy of IRIE! dance theatre as one of the UK’s leading companies for the African and Caribbean dance.
Contributors
Beverley Glean MBE
Artistic Director and CEO (IRIE! dance theatre)
Moderated by
Ines Carvalho
Co-Founder of Stretch, PR and Communications Consultant (Diagonal)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Performance Evening: Showcase
Performances
An evening of performances to close the first day of Stretch, featuring works by Connectingvibes and EU Topos.
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Diversity, Inclusion and Creating Safe Spaces (BSL Interpreted)
Panel discussion
Different voices in the sector discuss inclusion and diversity in the dance world.
Contributors
Peter Laycock
Freelance Creative Learning Consultant
Pierre
Dance Artist and Director (Mind Ur Head)
Bakani Pick Up
Dance Artist
Moderated by
Katie Hagan
Founder & Editor (Dance Art Journal)
Location
The Ivy House
Diagonal Lab: Dance Marketing Workshop
Professional Development session
A practical toolkit to develop a marketing strategy for a dance work.
Contributors
Antonia Wiese
Marketing Specialist (HdK)
Ines Carvalho
Co-Founder of Stretch, PR & Communications Consultant (Diagonal)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
How to Network within the Sector – Best Practices
Panel discussion
An engaging conversation sharing tips to make the most out of networking opportunities.
Contributors
Isabel Sachs
Founder (I Like Networking)
Steph Townsend
Co-Founder (Movement Connects)
Moderated by
Michael Peter Johnson
Creative Producer
Location
The Ivy House
Diversifying your Career Paths – Working with Agencies and Embracing Commercial Work
Panel discussion
This panel discussion presents experiences of dance artists who jumped into the world of advertising and film as a way to open up their creative careers to new challenges and sectors.
Contributors
Kosta Karakashyan
Director (Studio Karakashyan)
Helen Esther Aschauer
Freelance Director and Choreographer
Moderated by
Ines Carvalho
Co-Founder of Stretch, PR & Communications Consultant (Diagonal)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Creating Content and Storytelling – Communicating Dance Better (BSL Interpreted)
Panel discussion
An insightful panel discussion sharing tips & tricks on content creation and social media engagement for dance artists or organisations.
Contributors
Rachel Elderkin
Dance Artist, Writer and Dramaturg, Founder of Dance Dialogues Podcast
Sarah Blanc
Dance Artist and Director (Moxie Brawl)
Moderated by
Bernardo Queiros
Co-Founder of Stretch, Creative Consultant (Diagonal, BQ)
Location
IRIE! dance theatre, Moonshot Centre
Closing Party
Networking
Celebrating the first edition of Stretch.
Location
The Ivy House
Partners
Stretch 2023 was made possible with the support of Arts Council England, Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy, Arts Marketing Association, IRIE! dance theatre, Dance Art Journal, The Ivy House, BROCA, AWA Dance and Eventual.
