Memorandum submitted by Magpie Dance
BACKGROUND
Since being established in 1994, Magpie has
maintained its core aim—enabling people with learning disabilities
to take a full and integrated part in the artistic life of the
community through dance.
Magpie Dance includes a group of adults with
learning disabilities and offers a range of open community and
educational workshops. Collaborating with professional artists,
Magpie has developed an innovative programme of community, education
and performance work which benefits children and adults with learning
disabilities across Bromley, London and the surrounding areas.
Each year 600 to 800 people with learning disabilities benefit
through participatory dance workshops with Magpie.
Over 50,000 people have watched Magpie perform
at professional arts venues including the Churchill Theatre Bromley,
The South Bank, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre, Cardiff International
Arena and on local cable TV. In September 2003 Magpie performed
on the main stage (and featured as the programme's front page
image) at the Greater London Authority's celebration of the European
Year of Disabled People in Trafalgar Square. Magpie has also taken
part in street arts festivals, including Bromley and Brighton.
Magpie Dance is about extending opportunity
to people who suffer exclusion through social and environmental
structures not adapted to their needs. The increase in personal
confidence, self-esteem and creative skills gained through Magpie
help them to develop personal and social independence. Magpie
encourages the wider public to appreciate creativity across different
abilities, not just as the preserve of the "gifted and able"
in society, through expert, tested methods of inclusion.
OUR COMMUNITY
WORK
Our regular community programme provides:
— 60 Community dance sessions in community
centres in Orpington and Bromley over three terms (three terms
of 10 weekly sessions), approximately 200 participants per year.
— Education outreach in special schools
and centres with Magpie Dancers (approximately 15), approximately
300 participants per year.
In addition, through our youth work (started
in Autumn 2003) we aim to offer:
— 30 places in 12 open classes each
year for approximately 120 young people aged between 16 and 25
(many often re-attend and core group dancers can also attend these
classes) each year.
— 12 places in 24 dance workshops each
year, total of 12 young people (likely to be the same core group)
each year.
Case Study: Here's just one story, based
on the achievements of Linda, an established member of Magpie
Dance to demonstrate how dance has changed her life.
A growth in confidence and an innate ability
to move has led Linda to contribute artistically to the group
and having her work acknowledged on a public stage and in the
media. Her improved physical stamina has also made it possible
for her to undertake a choreographer's role and work closely with
different people in the company throughout the rehearsal period.
Perhaps for the first time in her life, Linda feels that she is
really good at something—there was a time when she found
it hard to even make eye contact with others.
Her transition into making work herself for
the group is an experience which motivates other members of the
group. Linda choreographed a new work for fellow company members
for performance in the Churchill Theatre Bromley. She made decisions
about the composer and costume design and titled the piece "Reflections".
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