Head of Catalyst
Job Pack
To apply for the post, please complete the application form and equal opportunities
form, marking the envelope with the code DB-CAT16 and send it to:
Stef Skinner
Finance and Administration Officer
Dance Base
14-16 Grassmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2JU
OR
Send by e-mail to:stef@dancebase.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 10am, Monday 29 February
Please do not submit CVs, as these are not accepted.
We thank you for your interest in Dance Base and look forward to receiving your
application.
Dance Base is an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all
sectors of the community.
History
Dance Base, National Centre for Dance, is a powerhouse for dance in Scotland.
Since 1994, under the Artistic Direction of Morag Deyes MBE, Dance Base has
continued to thrive and has welcomed over 1 million people through its doors.
Annually we work with hundreds of professional dancers; bring dancers and
choreographers from across the world to present their work at our critically
acclaimed Fringe programme; and support companies to tour work nationally and
internationally.
Located in Edinburgh’s historic Grassmarket, the £6.4m centre caters for dancers of
all ages and abilities in state of the art facilities, providing an accessible programme
of activities to a diverse public who can enjoy a sociable way of keeping physically
fit and developing new creative skills. Our four world-class studios provide an
inspirational environment in which to create and participate.
The building was opened by our Royal Patron, Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay KT,
KG in 2001. One month later, our Artistic Patron, the internationally renowned
choreographer Mark Morris, celebrated Dance Base by creating and dedicating a
new work performed by his company at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh.
The Vision
Our vision is: to support new, emerging and established dancers and
choreographers across a range of styles. We respond to the changing needs of the
professional dance community, cultivating awareness of choreographic trends and
teaching styles. We are unfailing in our commitment to community engagement
and widening participation. And we provide a hub that connects the very best
creative talent locally, nationally and internationally and gets more people dancing.
Strategic aims and objectives
Dance Base’s strategic aims and objectives are to:
 Provide support for new, emerging and established dance artists, dancers
and choreographers across a range of styles, ensuring that they reach their
full potential by giving them the opportunity to develop original, ground
breaking work
 Commission, produce and present exceptional choreography and dance
performances across a wide range of dance forms
 Strengthen our connection with audiences and participants and developing
new dance audiences for the future
 Increase access and opening up the enjoyment of dance to the whole
community
 Ensure that all activities take place within a safe, secure and appropriate
environment and that the finances are sourced and managed in an efficient,
transparent and professional manner.
Achieving success in these areas will enable us to enhance our reputation as a
National Centre of Dance, both within the professional and participatory dance
communities. We will continue to be recognised as a centre of excellence within the
dance community and the sector in Scotland, Europe and beyond.
We will continue to deliver, develop, expand and enhance:
 highly professional programmes of work, including: festivals, residencies,
training for young graduates, professional technique classes, production and
management support and performance opportunities
 a diverse range of participatory programmes, comprising courses and classes
for diverse communities, and a series of distinct projects happening inside
and outside the venue aimed at inspiring and engaging those people who
may not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in dance activities
Our values of artistic excellence, creativity, inclusivity, responsibility and participation
determine what we do and how we do it.
Where we are now
Dance Base is a special place. Over the past 20 years it has established a
reputation for artistic excellence, supporting and developing new, emerging and
established dancers, dance artists and choreographers across a range of styles.
Crucially, it has committed to widening access and participation, providing diverse,
inclusive and highly valued dance programme experience for people of all ages
and backgrounds.
Currently, Dance Base operates across two interconnected programmes of work
under the leadership of Chief Executive, Jenny Langlands and Artistic Director,
Morag Deyes MBE.
Dance Base’s mission is: to encourage and celebrate the potential for dance in
everyone. This mission is delivered through two interconnected programmes: the
Professional Programme and Participation Programme.
The present and future content of these two programmes confirms our support for
dancers and choreographers at every stage of their development, and underlines
our commitment to widening access and increasing participation.
Over the coming years, we have ambitious plans in place to extend its impact, while
maintaining our existing portfolio of programmes, putting new emphasis on:
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providing support for new, emerging and established dance artists, dancers
and choreographers across a range of styles, ensuring that they reach their
full potential by giving them the opportunity to develop original, ground
breaking work
commissioning , producing and presenting exceptional choreography and
dance performances across a wide range of dance forms


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strengthening our connection with audiences and participants and
developing new dance audiences for the future
increasing access and open up the enjoyment of dance to the whole
community
ensuring that all activities take place within a safe, secure and appropriate
environment and the finances are sourced and managed in an efficient,
transparent and professional manner
Dance Base combines professionalism and artistic excellence with a strong sense of
community. We benefit enormously from Creative Scotland’s core grant of £408,000
per annum and greatly appreciate the unfailing support that it has provided in
recent years and the very helpful advice and guidance that it provides.
Professional Programme
Dance Base has delivered a strong professional programme aimed at supporting
and developing the professional dance community in Scotland, as well as nurturing
new and emerging talent. This has a number of key elements:

Residency programme: two studios are dedicated for the exclusive use
of dance professionals throughout the year. The studios are used from
9am until 5pm each day, to create new work either alone, or with a
company. Professional dancers also deliver and attend professional
classes.

Dancers Emerging Bursary Scheme: a ground breaking initiative which
offers non-financial bursaries to four graduate dancers annually. These
young graduates are supported with training, guidance and an
essential bridge between college or conservatoire and the
challenging professional life of a full time dancer / choreographer. The
recipients of these awards are mentored by a carefully selected and
experienced dance practitioner who can meet their development
needs.

Catalyst Dance Management: a unique resource for the professional
dance community in Scotland, contributing vital producing and
project management skills to smaller companies and emergent artists.
Catalyst lies at the core of Dance Base’s work with professional dance
artists and is at the centre of its commitment to support new, emerging
and established artists reach their full potential. Additionally, Catalyst
guides individual artists and companies who wish to create new work,
thereby contributing to the entire sector becoming stronger, more
confident and more artistically compelling.

The Fringe programme: brings together dance artists from across the
world, giving Scottish artists the opportunity to perform their work
alongside international artists and to engage with new and established
audiences on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Showcases: we deliver intimate events, giving dance artists and
companies the opportunity to present work in development to invited
audiences.

International mentoring: offering mentoring support to dance artists,
choreographers and companies on the international circuit.
Participation Programme
Two key areas are delivered as part of the participation programme:

Courses and classes programme: we deliver over 100 weekly classes per
week, over three terms, to members of the public. Classes and special
customised workshops are programmed for all levels from absolute beginner
to advanced participants, and for all ages from babies to senior citizens.
Classes are run as progressive courses week-by-week or as drop-in sessions
designed to fit with busy schedules, and are delivered by experienced
professional teachers in our world-class studios at accessible prices.
Approximately 1,000 people access these classes every week.

Education and outreach programme: we deliver a range of trailblazing
dance related workshops, projects and residencies to a variety of people
across the community. We are continuously expanding our links into the
community by providing dance experiences that stimulate creativity,
learning, health and well-being, for those unable to come to the centre as a
result of physical, financial or social barriers.
Head of Catalyst
Reporting To: Chief Executive
Responsible for:
Programmes Manager
Key relationships:
Artistic Director
Marketing and Communications Managers
Head of Finance
Head of Operations and Business Development
Programmes Assistant
Development Manager
Catalyst is integral to Dance Base’s Professional Programme, and is a unique
resource for the professional dance community in Scotland, contributing vital
producing and project management skills to artists at all stages in their careers.
Catalyst lies at the core of Dance Base’s work with professional dance artists and is
at the centre of its commitment to support new, emerging and established artists
reach their full potential. Additionally, Catalyst guides individual artists and
companies who wish to create new work, thereby contributing to the entire sector
becoming stronger, more confident and more artistically compelling.
Catalyst works with artists at different stages of their professional life. Many are just
beginning to make their own work or developing their artistic vision, whereas some
are long-established and might be undergoing a period of change. Catalyst’s
approach is open and flexible – offering a supportive environment where the
conditions are responsive to the needs of the individual artist regardless of dance
style.
This is achieved by providing expert advice, and supporting artists to navigate the
next phase of their career. Catalyst works closely with a portfolio of professional
dance artists and companies, as well as reaching more broadly to support the
sector through essential programmes such as Navigate and bespoke advisory
sessions.
Dance Base has been delivering this programme of work for over seven years. Since
the project’s inception it has achieved considerable success working with a range of
artists in the creation and production of new work. Most recently we have worked
with Curious Seed and Janis Claxton Dance, with whom we have produced and
toured work to prestigious venues across the world. Additionally, Catalyst has
supported a wide range of artists, including: Karl Jay-Lewin, Colette Sadler (Stammer
Productions), Tamsyn Russell, Anna Krzystek and Ashley Jack, to create high-quality
work for international festivals and a wide range of venues across the country. Over
the coming years Dance Base has ambitious plans to continue to develop and
deliver this programme of work and build on its recent success.
Job purpose
The Head of Catalyst is a strategic role within Dance Base and part of the senior
management team, responsible for delivering high quality producing and
management support to Scotland-based independent dance artists and
companies.
Objectives of the Role
 To provide a range of management and producing support to Scotlandbased independent dance artists
 To provide career advice and guidance to independent dance artists based
in Scotland
 To provide small / mid and large-scale production and touring support for
dance artists and companies based in Scotland
 To manage the Programmes Manager and support this role in the delivery of
a range of high quality international festivals, events and showcases
Main Responsibilities
 To support dance artists in the development, production, creation and
touring of new work by providing advice and guidance on a variety of levels
including: identifying touring opportunities, advising on deals and contractual
arrangements, budgeting, connecting artists and companies with venues
and festivals and supporting the preparation of funding applications
 To work with Dance Base’s Artistic Director to develop and implement a new
Associate Artists Scheme
 To work with the Artistic Director and ensure dance artists who are presenting
work as part of the other strands of Dance Base’s programmes are supported,
such as: Dance Base’s award-winning Fringe programme, NordDance and
showcases
 To take an active interest in all strands of Dance Base’s professional
programmes, including the residency programme
 To ensure Catalyst artists have access to adequate rehearsal space by
working with other members of the team
 To seek opportunities for dance artists and companies and represent and
profile their work where appropriate
 To line manage and support the Programmes Manager
 To work with the Chief Executive and Head of Finance to set an annual
budget for the department including: income targets for the management of
services and be responsible for reaching agreed targets and agreeing
expenditure
 To work with the Chief Executive and Development Manager in creating a
plan to ensure the financial sustainability of the Catalyst programme
 To advocate on behalf of Dance Base and Dance Base Catalyst artists and
companies, by representing them to the wider sector
 To deputise for the Artistic Director and Chief Executive by attending sharings,
events, performances and funder / stakeholder meetings as required
 To attend senior management and staff meetings
 To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of the Head of
Catalyst by the Chief Executive
 To prepare reports for the Board and Chief Executive as and when requested
 To maintain a positive, energetic and creative outlook
Essential Criteria and Qualities
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Experience of producing and tour management in the performing arts, both
nationally and internationally
Experience in working with professional artists and companies throughout the
producing process – from conception to completion
Strong negotiation skills
Experience of managing budgets
Knowledge of the UK funding landscape
Track record of securing funding from across a range of sources, including the
public sector
Experience of working in an arts venue and across a range of departments
Knowledge and interest in the work of dance artists and companies
Desirable
 Experience working in dance sector
 Experience of producing festivals or events
 Experience in delivering projects across a range of art forms
 Line management experience
 Awareness of international funding streams
Terms and conditions:
Salary: £30,000
(based on 40 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent contract with 6 month probation period.
Notice period: 2 weeks during the probation period rising to 2 months after
successful completion of the probation period.
Holidays: 22 days paid holidays plus bank holidays.
Overtime: No overtime is payable but will be given as Time off in Lieu with the
agreement of the Chief Executive
Policies: All employees will receive a staff handbook that will include all of Dance
Base’s policies and procedures. Failure to comply with the regulations set down in
these, and any future policies to be introduced may result in the initiation of
disciplinary procedures.
Application deadline: Monday 29 February 2016 at 10am.