A BIGGER FOOTPRINT THROUGH DANCE
Company Chameleon are proud to announce that they will continue to be part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio from April 2018 to March 2022, and following an uplift in funding, will broaden and further develop their offer over the next four years.
Co-Artistic Director, Kevin Edward Turner, said: “We are delighted to continue our work as a key National Portfolio Organisation. We believe in the power of dance and will take every opportunity that this funding brings to make a positive impact through our work and create an even bigger footprint through creating exciting, fresh and relevant work, which triggers a real and rich dialogue.”
The funding news arrives as Company Chameleon looks to celebrate its 10th anniversary this autumn. Co-Founded in Manchester in 2007 by Kevin Edward Turner and Anthony Missen , Company Chameleon have grown a reputation for their original and distinctive dance style, which draws from a rich mix of movement styles.
Described by audiences as ‘powerful’, ‘down-to-earth’ and ‘inspiring’, their imprint can now be seen across 15 dance theatre productions, which have been seen by audiences across the UK and internationally. Following the uplift in funding, Company Chameleon will build on the solid foundations created from ten years of producing international dance theatre, to take their work in a new direction.
Co-Artistic Director, Anthony Missen explains: “We feel this is an amazing achievement for the company. After primarily being a male company for ten years, we plan to use the additional funding to employ a female dancer, which will introduce a totally new element into our work and create a whole new dynamic to what we do. This is artistically very exciting as it will create more opportunities for our work to develop.”
The additional funding will also enable Company Chameleon to consolidate their infrastructure so that they have the capacity to deliver bigger and bolder projects in different locations and contexts. This starts this autumn with their biggest commission to date from Manchester City Council to create a site-specific piece at Manchester Central Library.
Andrew Hurst, Chair of Company Chameleon and Chief Executive of One Dance UK, said: “The funding is a signal of recognition from Arts Council England of the great work Chameleon have delivered over the last decade and for this we are very thankful.
Along with championing dance through its national and international networks, the company believes in nurturing artists and providing positive role models and opportunities for young people. Last year, along with hosting our biggest tour to date, we also worked with more young people than ever before. With increased funding from the Arts Council, we look forward to reaching out even further and taking Chameleon’s work on stage in theatres and outdoors at festivals across the UK, Europe and the World.”
Company Chameleon is proud of its Northern roots and to exist as the only touring dance company to be based in Manchester. Each of their 15 productions created to date have been made in their home city and have gone on to tour extensively across the UK and internationally.
Kevin Edward Turner said: “As we tour, we fly the flag for Manchester, and through exporting our work abroad, we support the UK’s international standing as a cultural producer. With dance there are no language barriers: it crosses borders like no other artform. Over the next four years, we will support the Arts Council’s mission of ‘great art and culture for everyone’ by starting new conversations, through dance and movement, with all different audiences across the world. We can’t wait to get started.”
As one of 831 National Portfolio Organisations across the country, Company Chameleon will receive regular funding from Arts Council England for the next four years. Find out more about Art Council England’s National Portfolio for 2018-2022 and the investment process here.
