Funding helps secure future of dance in the North East

Newcastle-based Dance City has received a £250,000 loan from the North East Social Investment Fund, run by Northstar Ventures, alongside a grant of £37,500 from the Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, to help enhance its role as a regional hub for dance and creativity in the North East.

Operating for nearly 40 years, Dance City runs a purpose-built dance centre, offering training from age ten to postgraduate level and hosting performances in its in-house theatre.

Supporting over 8,000 people annually, the organisation is a cornerstone of the North East’s cultural scene, showcasing diverse dance styles and fostering professional talent, while celebrating the ‘positivity of dance’.

Anand Bhatt, artistic director and chief executive at Dance City, said: “We are delighted to receive this investment from Northstar Ventures. This investment is a testament to the trust in our business plan and unlocks resources to enable the organisation to develop.

“The culture sector has needed to adapt significantly in the post-pandemic era, and investment such as this enables Dance City to embrace the opportunities ahead.”

The funding will enable Dance City to continue promoting well-being, social inclusion and economic impact through its innovative programmes and performances, ensuring that people of all ages can continue to participate in, experience and enjoy dance.

Ian Richards, director of Northstar Ventures, added: ‘We are delighted to be able to support this culturally significant enterprise which provides true social impact within the region.”

Read more about Anand, his lifelong passion for dance and the vital importance of Dance City to the North East’s cultural sector in our sister publication, N, here.

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