This opportunity is designed for artists with experience in improvisation and somatic approaches to participatory dance and performance. Drawing on 20 years of continued collaboration and innovation with Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust, this programme is aimed at those wishing to develop or transition their practice into acute health care settings.
The training will share Small Things’ pioneering, evidence-based approach[1] to participatory dance and performance in acute health settings. Our award-winning practice has been co-produced with Alder Hey Arts for Health, the play service, and clinical teams since its initiation 20 years ago. Applied across hospital wards including neuromedical, cardiac, renal, oncology, acute mental health, orthopaedics, ICU and Burns, our person-centred creative practice offers choice, a sense of agency and transformative experiences through dance to those undergoing medical treatment and in recovery.
The programme is divided into three modules and is subsidised by Arts Council England.
Module 1 can be taken independently, although priority will be given to those attending both 1 and 2.
Module 3 is by separate application, as placement numbers are limited to four emerging artists and four established artists.
Module 1-Dance improvisation-a relational, collaborative approach.
Dates: Online 2 hours pre workshop date tbc
In person-17th and 18th October 10am-5pm, Liverpool
Online 2 hours post workshop date tbc
Access to online recorded hospital sessions filmed in 360°, offering an immersive learning experience.
· Participatory practice - exploring movement, touch, sound and objects.
· One to one practice - an improvised duet.
· Bespoke site sensitive and audience responsive performance.
· Scope of practice - situating artistic practice in a clinical landscape.
· Language - articulating practice in the health context.
· Consent - negotiating consent and non-verbal consent.
· Multidisciplinary working-collaborating with healthcare personnel (nurses, pain and sedation service, play service, physiotherapy).
Module 2-Deepening practice-the hospital context.
Dates: Online 2 hours pre workshop date tbc
In person- 21st and 22nd November 10am-5pm, Liverpool
Online 2 hours post workshop date tbc
· Improvisation and somatic approaches with people experiencing trauma, pain and anxiety.
· Entering, holding a creative space, ending.
· Developmental movement patterns and supporting connection through the body.
· Safeguarding the patient and the artist (self-care).
· Evaluating practice.
· Methodologies for gathering data and evaluating projects.
· Documenting sessions and handover.
Module 3-Preparing for placement (by separate application please request an application form; artists must undergo DBS; occupational health; have public liability insurance)
Date: In person 9th-10th January 10am-5pm, Liverpool
· How to begin, follow and respond to develop a patient centred approach.
· Developing your unique approach.
· Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust specific conditions: - infection control, health and safety, negotiating clinical interruptions
· The final day will be co-created alongside participants, based on their needs.
The programme will be led by the Small Things team including Dr Lisa Dowler, Sam Hickey, Louise Gibbons and Paula Hampson.
Cost on a sliding scale: Low-income £180/individual weekend, £350 modules 1 & 2
Standard price £250/individual weekend, £480 modules 1 & 2
Organisation £300/individual weekend, £580 modules 1 & 2
Please contact lisa@smallthingsdance.co.uk for a booking form and payment details.
[1] Dowler, L (2013) ‘Improvising on the ward: Exploring somatic dance and potential in paediatric health care’, Journal of Applied Arts & Health4: 2, pp. 163–178, doi: 10.1386/jaah.4.2.163_1
Dowler L (2016) Can improvised somatic dance reduce acute pain for young people in hospital? Nursing Children and Young People. 28, 9, 20-25. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2016.e740
ELaTIon film
You can see our recent film by Twin Vision Media here https://vimeo.com/383229512
Final report for the ELaTIon project 2018-19
You can read our final report of the 2 year ELaTIon project funded by BBC Children in Need and Arts Council England here: https://issuu.com/lisa-smallthingsdance.co/docs/elation_evaluation_draft_2
Practice Development
In May we were very grateful to receive a grant from Arts Council England to support the development of our performance work at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. This included CPD for project artists Sam Hickey and Louise Gibbons in the form of a 5 day intensive with NY based dance artist K.j. Holmes. In addition K.j. was in residence with Small Things and led performance training with a particular focus on the voice and sonic environment with the dancers and musicians. This greatly enhanced our two day tour of the hospital in June.
Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing
Small Things Dance Collective feature in the All-Party Parliamentary Group
on Arts, Health and Wellbeing's report (pg 93-4). https://www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant from PH Holt Foundation to contribute to our work at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital from Sept 2017.
smalldances App
The smalldances App is now free to download for Apple and Android.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smalldances/id1239884616?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.soultoy.smalldances
Cath Hawkins
In September 2016 Cath Hawkins resigned from Small Things. After founding the organisation in 2002 and working collaboratively with Lisa and other artists for over 13 years, we would like to thank Cath and wish her well. Cath's current projects can be found here www.movingmarks.co.uk
Somatic App at the DMLL, Coventry
Lisa will give a talk about the Somatic App at the DMLL in Coventry. For more information please visit: http://dmll.org.uk/events/a-somatic-dance-app-can-we-really-represent-sensation-digitally/
Small Things at Knowing Body Network
Small Things work will be presented alongside others from the Knowing Body Network in May. More information can be found here: http://www.cheshiredance.org/practitioners.html