FRONTLINEdance is an artist led company based in Stoke-on-Trent, placing disabled people and those with long-term health conditions at the core of our organisation as leaders, dancers, artists, and audiences.
In 2019 we produced our first City-Wide Arts Festival (FAF) that had audiences access needs at the centre, and that showcased the work of disabled artists of all art forms.
As makers we explore how we can create exciting, relevant and thought-provoking contemporary dance with d/DEAF, visually impaired, disabled, hospital patients, and neurodivergent audiences. We co-create across ages, backgrounds, and experiences, naturally integrating people together, reducing isolation, improving physical, mental and social health and well-being.
We continue to support emerging disabled artists and we offer consultation and support around inclusion, access and programming disabled artists both locally and nationally.
Our tried and tested methodology means we specialise in delivering accessible and fully inclusive dance sessions.
For those with neurological and other long-term health conditions such as Parkinson’s, Stroke, Cancer and MS we offer our Moving Together Programme. Inclusive meaningful dance, movement, and creativity sessions that improve the health and well-being of those who take part. It’s comprehensive, varied, evidence-based based and enjoyable. Family, friends, and carers are welcome too.
This specially devised programme moved into Haywood Community Hospital, to all its inpatients, where our work on Stroke, Neurology, Elderly Care Wards and Parkinson’s (outpatient unit) developed thanks to a grant from the Haywood Foundation.
Our Breakthrou’dance Programme (JUNIOR, YOUTH, ADULT & ADVANCE) is for everyone and provides physical, social, and mental health outcomes, freedom, expression, enjoyment, and the opportunity to develop friendships.
Moving Stories is our over 55’s contemporary dance company that meets at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery to create new work to perform site specifically.
Those who take part in our programmes unite in describing them as a ‘life-line’; that they find a sense of themselves, notice physical improvement, feel they are important, welcome, and valued. They share increased motivation, engagement, adherence, and tolerance to exercise, emphasise the importance of the social interaction, and increased energy and mood.
FRONTLINEdance also does one-off bespoke projects and performances, and welcomes commissions.
From the beginning, we’ve been choreographing our own work, making FRONTLINEdance one of the first integrated dance companies in the UK to do so.
FRONTLINEdance was co-founded by Rachael Lines and Michael King in 2000, and officially became a not-for-profit company Ltd by guarantee (no shareholders) in 2001.
We’re an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to taxpayers play a huge part in supporting our work.
