Scottish Ballet Announces Five-Year Support from Baillie Gifford

By: Dec. 03, 2018
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Scottish Ballet Announces Five-Year Support from Baillie Gifford

Scottish Ballet is delighted to announce that Baillie Gifford will become the organisation's Dance Health programme sponsor, with a funding commitment for the next five years. This is part of Scottish Ballet's Five in Five campaign, launched to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary in 2019.

Embarking on its most ambitious commissioning programme in Scottish Ballet's history, the Five in Five campaign will create and present five new full-length ballets in the next five years, kickstarting with The Crucible choreographed by Helen Pickett and The Snow Queen by Christopher Hampson, which will both premiere in 2019.

As part of this bold initiative, and with the support of Baillie Gifford, Scottish Ballet will also expand their engagement with local communities; opening up access routes to dance for people suffering with neurological conditions.

Already a leader within this increasingly significant field, Scottish Ballet currently runs two Dance Health programmes: Time to Dance for those living with dementia and their carers, and Dance for Parkinson's, delivered in partnership with Dance Base. To date, close to 1,000 participants have registered in these programmes and experienced a wide range of tangible health and social benefits.

Baillie Gifford's five-year funding commitment will enable the expansion of the Dance Health programme nationwide, reaching new locations and participants, training new teachers, and sharing research findings with health professionals. This will widen knowledge of the positive impact of dance on health and wellbeing, particularly for people diagnosed with neurological conditions.

Scottish Ballet will continue to ensure the long-term development of this emerging discipline by working with partners to deliver and evaluate the programme, including Glasgow Clyde College and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, as well as international institutions. As part of the expansion, a new apprentice will be recruited in a professional development role to ensure the skills and research methods developed in this programme have an ongoing legacy.

Talking about the partnership, Catherine Cassidy, Director of Engagement at Scottish Ballet, said:
'We are delighted that Baillie Gifford is extending their partnership with Scottish Ballet, to fund the expansion of the Dance Health programme. The sponsorship will be used to develop and grow the department, allowing for additional facilitators to deliver the tailored work which fits the needs of diverse communities; promoting confidence, fostering well-being and encouraging creativity through dance.

Sam Pattman, Sponsorship Manager at Baillie Gifford, added:

'Baillie Gifford has been a proud sponsor of Scottish Ballet for many years, and we are delighted to strengthen this relationship by supporting the Dance Health programme. We have no doubt that this ambitious initiative will have an impact on the lives of many people across Scotland by sharing the transformative benefits that dance can have on our physical and mental wellbeing.'

Commenting on the work, Dr Bethany Whiteside, Research Lecturer at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said:

'The knowledge exchange partnership between Scottish Ballet and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland evidences and supports the Company's commitment to their Dance Health programmes. Through working in close collaboration with key stakeholders, the research and evaluation has a tangible and positive impact on the wellbeing of dancers with Parkinson's and dementia, through informing internal learning and the wider dance, health, and academic sectors.'

For further information on Scottish Ballet and the Dance Health programme, including Dance for Parkinson's and Time to Dance, alongside access, community engagement and training visit: https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/

Photo Credit Christina Riley



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