Major funding boost for South East Dance

South East Dance is one of 74 organisations receiving grants totalling £58.9 million. The Capital Kickstart grants programme helps organisations cover costs added to capital projects such as building works, refurbishments and large-scale equipment purchases by pandemic-related delays or fundraising shortfalls.

South East Dance’s The Dance Space has been over a decade in the making. The vision for the space is a place where artists and people of all ages from across the city and the region can come together under one roof to celebrate and enjoy dance.

In the run up to the launch of The Dance Space in 2021, South East Dance has been working with community organisations such as Brooke Mead Extra Care Facility, Puffin Nursery, Brighton Youth Centre and Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project to take dance activities to them in ways they choose.

This new funding will take South East Dance one step closer to being able to fit out, furnish and open The Dance Space, and welcome people from across the South East to enjoy the life affirming benefits of dance.

Rachel Gibson, executive director at South East Dance, said: “We are over the moon that the Arts Council have reaffirmed their commitment to the South East’s new home for dance with this award from the Cultural Capital Kickstart Fund. This is a major step towards completing The Dance Space and being able to welcome in artists and communities from across Brighton & Hove and the wider South East. The new building will be a place where everyone can explore, experience and enjoy dance, as well as making an important contribution to the cultural infrastructure of the city. We can’t wait to open its doors.”

Councillor Marianna Ebel, joint chairman of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in winning this award which will mean a new centre for dance representing the south east region can open in Brighton & Hove next year.