Practising Futures

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Application info
Application form
Access requirements form

Practising Futures is a unique mentoring opportunity for early-career arts professionals in the Sussex area. Designed to nurture emerging creatives during this pivotal moment in their development, the mentees will gain access to inspiration, insight, sector knowledge, signposting and support from one of our experienced mentors. The mentors will guide the mentees to find solutions to problems, to develop confidence, consider their career development, acquire further skills and re-imagine their own practice.

Practising Futures is a one-of-a-kind programme, where the mentees will be paid for their time on the programme, their mentor will be hand-picked to suit each mentee’s requirements and they will be offered five free CPD (Continuing Professional Development) sessions on a wide range of topics. There is no specific outcome required to participate in the scheme, this programme is simply here to nurture future arts professionals during this challenging time.

Open to anyone seeking a long and sustainable career in dance, you could be an aspiring or early-career performer, choreographer, producer, marketer, community practitioner, programmer or dramaturg. We know that early career can occur at any age, so this opportunity is open to anyone based in Sussex, over the age of 18 and not in full-time education. This scheme is designed for someone at the beginning of their career and who identifies as facing barriers because of their background, we recognise that barriers mean you may not have taken a ‘traditional’ route into dance or the arts.

What you’ll get:
  • £300 towards your time on the programme
  • A hand-picked mentor matched to your interests and aspirations
  • Three two-hour sessions with your mentor
  • Five free CPD sessions on a variety of topics
Who can apply:
  • You’re over the age of 18 who is not a full-time student
  • If you’ve not felt other mentoring schemes are open/accessible to you
  • Dance or movement forms a significant part of your discipline
  • You are at the ‘early’ stage in your career
  • You are based in Sussex
How to apply:
  • Send us a completed application form, either in written or video format
  • An up-to-date CV or a 3 min film telling about your CV
  • A completed access requirement form, either in written or video format

Large text versions of the application form and access requirement form.

Applications should be emailed to info@sussexdancenetwork.co.uk by 6pm on the 29th November. We will not be holding interviews for this scheme; selection will be based on applications only.

Please Note: we are currently seeking funding for this scheme, if selected we are committed to supporting 5 early-career arts workers in 2021 but the timeline will be dependent on funding.

Got questions and want to speak to someone? Please feel free to contact emma@sussexdancenetwork.co.uk or 07548282961 with any queries.