Shifting Landscapes

Our current 2-year project, Shifting Landscapes, is funded by Arts Council England, BBC Children in Need, Lottery Awared for All and D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. It includes one to one ward based practice and immersive performance experiences through VR for hospitalised children.. 

We created films in 360° in natural coastal and forest landscapes that can be viewed through VR headsets, enabling children and young people to simultaneously explore the environment, as well as experience dance performance.

Shifting Lanscapes also includes several opportunities for artist development including a two day training for artists working in health, care, or trauma contexts with a range of approaches to reinvigorate practice,  with invited artists/practitioners: 

Cai Tomos, independent dance artist and arts therapist, working with older adults in hospital, care homes and community settings.  

Sarah Smith-Sergeant, yoga teacher and NHS trainee associate psychological practitioner specialising in therapeutic yoga for pregnancy and with children and young people.

Pei Yee Tong, Movema Dance Company, practice focuses on breathing, daily movement, appreciation of nature and self, focus on inner energy "Chi". 

Paula Hampson dance and visual artist, engaging people of all ages and abilities to support creative potential, body knowledge and well-being.

In addition in the summer of 2024 we welcomed interns Maggie Harvey, Michelle Man, Emily Davis and Alicia Scaife to shadow the leading artists. We have also expanded our team to include NW emerging artists Chloe Robinson and Lydia Heath.

Feedback from interns and emerging artists:

“This is really special work! It is very subtle and widely varied…

I’m even more convinced of the value of the practice of body-based improvisation; how much I have learnt from the art of improvisation; how communication and relationship do not necessarily need words, it is more about the intention and focus. The work with the children clarified the elements of an improvisational journey….

How STDC’s approach allows the freedom to follow a child’s interest without expectation; to celebrate the seemingly obscure and non-linear; noticing and trusting in the smallest, most subtle things; reinforcing the value of play in development. From the moment you enter… it is a constant dialogue of observation and responding; settling into the moment but ready to shift, subtly or dramatically; or pull back. For the child, it is hopefully an experience of being seen, met, appreciated, valued, listened to; of making choices that are honoured; of possibility; of playful fun.” Maggie Harvey

“The experience as a whole will be a huge take away for my own practice, and one I hope will continue to lie within this work. The importance of play within movement is a huge takeaway - despite the setting, the sessions tapped into something larger relating to play and the gateway this provides for children to explore their own patterns of movement, thoughts and responses to wider environments around them. Certainly the experience working with complex needs and approaches within the sessions on 4B is something I will take away to my work with similar individuals / groups in the future. Ways to work with and read individuals with complex needs to develop movement approaches is a valuable skill I will take away.

“I had a wonderful time and feel you all provided me with a truly valuable experience for myself and my practice. Everyone’s approaches during sessions drew from the same bag (literally!) but were slightly different which meant no two times on the same ward were the same. Throughout the ten weeks I was always learning, each session taught me something new. I felt supported but not too overshadowed, and leave the experience feeling confident for future opportunities within this work. Thank you everyone for the experience!” Chloe Robinson

“For my own practice, I will take the development of being able to listen and respond to others in movement. I am also able to take further joy in the smallest of movements, the slightest of touch and even the silence.

I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Lisa, Sam, Paula and Louise. They have all brought their individual expertise and knowledge to help and guide me on this project. They have always let me feel comfortable discussing and asking questions as well as taking leads with young people. Small Things have made a safe environment for artists to learn and experiment.” Lydia Heath