Company Report 2012-2013 Mission Statement To make the art form of dance accessible to the communities of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. To use dance as a tool for education, integration and social change bringing about personal, group and community development. Vision To offer people the opportunity to explore, experience and create through the medium of dance. Building on our local, national and international reputation we will develop our service, providing opportunities for personal and community growth through exciting and accessible art and recreation. About TAN TAN Dance is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. One of a network of community dance organisations operating throughout Wales. TAN is revenue funded by the Arts Council of Wales, City and County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. For the last two decades TAN (formerly West Glamorgan Community Dance Project) has operated primarily in the areas of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea although our successful projects have resulted in invitations to take our work and our local groups further afield. TAN works throughout the communities of the two counties with all abilities from pre school to elderly. Vulnerable and marginalised groups and areas of disadvantage are prioritised. We run a youth programme throughout the two counties. We are known for our pioneering work in male dance. Programmes of work are tailored to fit the needs of the client groups and communities in valley, rural and urban settings, many of them with Communities First status, and can vary from one off workshops to 3 year projects. The programmes are very low cost, or more usually, free at point of access. We work as facilitators for people to create their own art and have their own voice and have mounted community productions in all the area’s theatrical venues, from church and school halls to the 1,000 seater Swansea Grand Theatre. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. Vivian Greene Chair’s Report This if my first (and probably only) report as the acting Chair for TAN Dance. In preparing the report, I had been asked to highlight the challenges of running a third sector organisation in the present economic climate. Before doing that, I think it is right to pay tribute to all those involved in TAN, either from an artistic or administrative perspective. It is the work of those within TAN, often unseen and unrecognised, which keeps the organisation moving forward and vibrant. Without that passion and enthusiasm at the heart of the organisation, it would not, in my view, be sustainable. What are the challenges facing third sector organisation such as TAN? The primary challenge is of course funding. This is not an issue just for TAN but for all third sector organisations. Funding was challenging prior to the recession; it has become ever more difficult through the recession and I suspect, even with economic recovery on the horizon, it will continue to be difficult for the foreseeable future. TAN has to devote significant resources to grant applications, only a small proportion of which are ultimately successful. That ties up resources within the organisation and presents a significant motivational challenge for those who have to face unsuccessful applications time and again. However, TAN's commitment to quality and enthusiasm has meant that it has been able consistently to deliver in the face of uncertainty. TAN maintains high standards for all those who participate in TAN's events; TAN seeks wherever possible, to bring in guest choreographers of international renown so that it can present programs with high participation as well as excellent artistic quality; TAN works with further and higher education establishments and national companies such as Welsh National Opera. Specific acknowledgement and thanks must be made to City & County of Swansea and Neath & Port Talbot Council for their support. That support, which is often under pressure as budgets come under pressure, is the back bone of TAN and is essential to TAN's ongoing success and sustainability. Finally, the Members of the Board should be thanked and recognised for their hard work and dedication to the TAN cause. Their advice, support and help is invaluable. Rory Hutchings – Acting Chair/ Vice Chair of the Board of Management, TAN Dance Artistic Director’s Report Despite the challenges of the global recession TAN has maintained it’s programme of high quality dance across the communities of Swansea Bay. Successful applications were thin on the ground but new partnerships have enabled us to continue to bring dance to people of all ages and abilities. We also branched out into the corporate world with Dynion performing at 3 events and a dance troupe of our tutors delivering the cabaret at the Liberty Stadium Christmas Parties. A company of TAN Dance Ambassadors from across our different classes and performance companies (TANAM8) was funded by a BBC Performing Arts Award and continuation of funding from The Gordon Cook Foundation meant that our important values education work With Nurture Group pupils and their families continued. We delivered three programmes under the Olion Reach The Heights Project for Swansea Metropolitan University. “Discovery” with Young Carers explored dance, music and photography and “Love Songs” enabled 50 learning disabled people to dance to live opera at the WMC with Welsh National Opera’s MAX. A new company, Troy Boyz, has evolved out of the third Olion programme, a street dance version of Homer’s Iliad for 40 NEET young people performed at Swansea Grand Theatre. Work with young people was delivered through 86 weekly classes and work in 47 schools. Our Un Dau Dawns Dance in Education Tour to Primary schools is now in partnership with Neath College. We delivered a well received performance project with Enterprise in the Valleys and have also begun working in Hillside Secure Unit for young offenders. 18 classes operated for adults and elderly people across the two counties and another successful intergenerational performance project Was led by our guest choreographer, Cecilia MacFarlane. I had the chance to be a practitioner again by directing some of the TANAM8 work and the Troy Boyz Production and also by teaching on an international conference in Nafplion, Greece for the European funded Ariadne Project. We will continue to do our utmost in the present difficult climate to bring our trademark touch of magic to all we work with. Carol Brown – Artistic Director/CEO “We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once”. Friedrich Nietzsche Highlights Education Values Education We continue with the Family Forward Programme thanks to a 3 year funding award, enabling us to work with nurture groups and their families in 3 NPT CBC comprehensive schools and their cluster primaries. Thanks to the Gordon Cook Foundation “We are so pleased to see the benefits of all that TAN Dance has achieved with projects now spreading to another nucleus of schools. I am so impressed by your ability to connect with children ..absolutely inspiring!” (Gavin Ross, Trustee, The Gordon Cook Foundation) Education 5x60 TAN worked with 18 secondary schools across both counties. Thanks to 5 x 60 Funding in NPT and C&C Swansea. “I see huge benefits in children getting involved with TAN’s Streetdance programme – it builds their confidence and encourages them to work as a team”. (Sarah McCoubrey, Senior Active Young People’s Sports Development Officer, City & County of Swansea) “The children have really enjoyed the dance with their tutor Grace and would like to continue”. (Sharon Walters, 5x60 Officer, Neath Port Talbot Council) Education Un Dau Dawns “Around the World” a performance and workshop programme created with Neath College performing arts students, was toured to NPT CBC primary schools. “Excellent, very well choreographed and a good opportunity for the children to experience different types of dance – really well planned”. (Mr Clifford, Headteacher Croeserw Primary School) “Dawns diddorol. Hyfryd gweld ymdrech yn y Gymraeg. Dawnswyr yn rhagorol gydar plant. Plant wedi mwynhau y gweithdyyn fawr. Gwych!” (G Jones, Ysgol y Wern Primary School) “The workshops were awesome and the performance great!” (Luke, Yr 6, Tir Morfa Primary School) Youth & Children 40-60 weekly classes for youth and children during the year. Swansea Youth Service Summer School at Townhill Youth Centre & YMCA Swansea. Hillside Secure Unit Central Infants & Junior School Summer Workshops Thanks to Central Infants & Junior School Family Forward – “Caring Community” Thanks to NPT Comps and Primary Schools “Thanks to the team for your fantastic effort with the TAN Dance Project. Once again the project has had a significant impact on our pupils and they have thoroughly enjoyed it” (Andrew Herbert, Headteacher Cwmnedd Primary) Schools worked with... Bishopston Comp Sandfields Comp Cwmtawe Comp Traethmelyn Primary Cwrt Sart Comp Tirmorfa Primary Cymmer Afan Comp Melyn Primary Daniel James Comp Ynysmaerdy Primary Dwr y Felin Comp Llansawel Primary Groes Primary Brynhyfryd Primary Penyrheol Primary Llangatwg Comp Portmead Primary Blaenhonddan Primary Cwmnedd Primary Gowerton Primary Maesmorchog Primary Blaengwrach Primary Clun Primary Gowerton Comp Glyncollen Primary Sketty Primary Tonnau Primary Parklands Primary Tywyn Primary Ystalyfera Comp Morriston Comp Dylan Thomas Comp Neath College Gendros Primary Swansea Metropolitan Glan Afan Primary Schools contd... Glan y Mor Primary Y Cymmer Afan Primary Mynachlog Nedd Primary Parklands Primary Gors Primary Croeserw Primary Alltwen Primary Y Wern Primary Bryncoch Church in Wales Primary Central Infants Central Juniors Cefn Hengoed Comp Bishop Vaughan Comp Gowerton Comp Penyrheol Comp Pontardulais Comp Dyffryn Comp Glan Afan Comp Adults & Intergenerational Intergenerational Project 2012/13 Time and Tide - with International Guest Choreographer Cecilia MacFarlane Thanks to Swansea Metropolitan University, Neath College, Barnardos and Reaching Wider.