An Introduction
Every year the Jerwood Bank Project has given six dance artists the unique opportunity to experience the creative and working methods of the company. The Project was originally created through Siobhan Davies’ interest in the creative development of ‘mid-career’ dance artists looking to shift their practice to a new level.
Each Jerwood Bank Project is based upon the processes involved in the creation of a recent dance work produced by Siobhan Davies Dance, enabling the participants to create their own dance material and explore the challenges of being a creative artist. Jerwood Bank is led by company dancers, who are able to share their experiences of making the original work with the participants.
The process usually results in a number of studio showings of work which the dancers have created over a six-week period, with discussions between the audience, the dancers, Siobhan Davies and the project leaders.
“There are times during the early stages of a dancer’s career when the lack of consistent employment inhibits their creative and professional development. Dancers are now interested in and required to use their own personal dance history in order to research new dance material. I would like the Bank Project to provide a secure situation for professionals to experiment but also to have the guidance of more experienced performers.” Siobhan Davies, 2002
Jerwood Bank has been generously supported by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation since 2003, providing the participants with a bursary for the six week period of professional development.
“Siobhan Davies and her amazing dancers have a singular intelligence in their approach to creating movement. It is a delight and a privilege for the Jerwood Charity to be able to play a part in this thoughtful and serious approach to supporting professional performers.” Roanne Dods, Jerwood Foundation
An international model for this project has been established and resulting in two projects concurrently – Jerwood Bank Project in London and Bank International in Philadelphia. Siobhan Davies Dance is keen to work with partner organisations to offer Jerwood Bank both within the UK and abroad.
Jerwood Bank 2008
Jerwood Bank 2008 took place from 20th October to 28th November with six dancers: Lyndsey McConville, Frederick Opoku-Addaie, Joe Moran, Luisa D’Ambrosio, Sarah Dowling, Josephine Dyer.
Jerwood Bank Blog
Jerwood Bank is documented through a blog which details the dancers accounts of their experience throughout the six weeks, alongside recordings of the additional contributions, talks and workshops that took place.
