Dance City announces new CEO and creative director
Jennifer Curry for hot seat
A nimble quickstep across Newcastle will see Jennifer Curry take up her post as the new chief executive and creative director of Dance City in September.
Currently director of philanthropy and external relations at Gosforth Civic Theatre, she will succeed Anand Bhatt who left Dance City recently to take up a new appointment in Birmingham.
The announcement from Dance City says Jennifer was chosen for her “strong record of leadership, advocacy and sector influence across national and regional cultural organisations”.
The board was also impressed by the fact that her career is “rooted in championing dance, supporting artists and strengthening the cultural ecology of the North East and the UK”.
Previously she led Dancers’ Career Development, a national charity which supports professional dancers.
There, according to the Dance City announcement, she “enhanced the organisation’s impact, forged key strategic partnerships and advocated for dancers both nationally and internationally, including as president of the International Organisation for the Transition of Professional Dancers”.
At Gosforth Civic Theatre, a venue founded and guided by people with learning disabilities, Jennifer “played a key leadership role, significantly developing philanthropy, strengthening partnerships and increasing its profile”.
Jennifer said: “I’m delighted to join Dance City and work with its exceptional team, artists and partners so we can shape the organisation’s ambitions and drive the next era of growth for dance in the North East.
“I look forward to working together to strengthen Dance City’s impact locally, nationally and internationally.”
Dance City chair Lyndsey Turner-Swift, said: “Jennifer has an outstanding track record in the dance sector and we look forward to drawing on her considerable expertise and skills as we navigate the future, which has been challenging for many organisations.
“We’re excited we’ve found such a dynamic and inclusive leader to confidently champion our story, build relationships and partnerships and help us continue to grow our work and profile in the region and across the UK.”
Jennifer, according to her LinkedIn profile, attended Central Newcastle High School (now part of Newcastle High School for Girls), did a first degree in dance and culture with professional training at the University of Surrey and then an MA in cultural policy and management at the University of London.
In an interview in March with Luxe magazine, marking 10 years of Gosforth Civic Theatre, she spoke of her background in dance and her belief that “cultural spaces matter more than ever in the North East because they offer connection, creativity and a sense of steadiness at a challenging time”.
They supported local jobs, nurtured homegrown talent and helped to keep creativity rooted in the region, she added.
“At a moment when cultural funding is under real pressure, spaces like Gosforth Civic Theatre act as anchors of hope and possibility.”
Dance City, much more than a venue since it has a remit to support, develop and champion dance across the region, was founded 40 years ago and moved into its new purpose built centre in 2006.
Every year the organisation works with more than 8,000 people of all ages in a variety of North East settings.
It offers formal dance training up to postgraduate level, supports professional dance artists and choreographers, and hosts a wide variety of classes aimed at all ages and abilities.
Dance City receives funding from Arts Council England as one of its National Portfolio organisations.
Jennifer might be the first local appointment to the top job, following in the footsteps of Janet Archer, the late Penny Rae, Anthony Baker and Anand Bhatt who all came from outside to make their mark on the region’s dance scene.