Signdance Collective International has been awarded £50,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today. 

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Signdance Collective International (SDC) is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England.

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SDC is a touring performance company that was established in 2001and is dance company in residence at Wycombe Arts Centre.  Their innovative TIME project, a selection of short collaborative films made during lockdown was premiered as part of the Wycombe Art’s Centre Lockdown art exhibition and included a community contribution from local participants. The company is culturally diverse and intergenerational with a team of experienced deaf and disabled artists at the helm. From 1987 to 2000, the company directors pioneered "signdance theatre", a fusion of sign theatre, dance, and live original music. The company is one of the first in the world to utilise and introduce the concept of inclusive practice with a specific focus on disability-deaf led teamwork.

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This Cultural Recovery funding is enabling the company to redesign their ‘In Between Spaces’ show to be performed in outdoor venues and festivals next Spring, develop new digital and live ‘Essence of Time’ performances, create a series of online / socially distanced workshops and also plan the Essential Art Hybrid Festival for Wycombe Arts Centre for Summer 2021.  To find out more about how they are doing this follow them @signdanceco or visit their webpage https://www.signdancecollectiveinternational.com 

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Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery. 

 

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

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Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

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Isolte Avila, Signdance Collective’s Project’s Director said:

"Our CRF grant, ‘ The Essence of Time’, allows us to continue to work with our local community, repurpose our performances and continue working with our amazing team. We are very thankful."