Ballet Futures
Ballet Futures
Towards a more diverse and inclusive future in classical dance.
Viv'Art Movement Academy is proud to be an Associate School of English National Ballet's - Ballet Futures - Pipeline Project.
Ballet Futures is English National Ballet's talent development programme for young dancers aged 8+ from African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and South-East Asian backgrounds.
The programme exists to address the underrepresentation of these communities within classical ballet by providing talented young dancers with access to opportunities, experiences and support that help them realise their potential.
"Our aim is to seek out dancers from backgrounds underrepresented in ballet (such as African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and Southeast Asian heritage) who possess the qualities to succeed in this artform, and support them through their training"
Through workshops, mentoring, performance opportunities, professional insights and support networks, Ballet Futures equips dancers with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to pursue advanced training and future careers in dance.
More than a talent development programme, Ballet Futures is a community where young artists can develop their artistry, build lasting connections and feel a genuine sense of belonging within the ballet world.
Selection to the project is by audition.
Participants receive two free ballet classes a week, provided by one of five associated schools in England, as well as bursaries for their uniform requirements.
Being part of Ballet Futures also means the students gain access to special opportunities such as theatre trips, visits to their schools, and experience days at ENB, taking them behind the scenes and into professional classes with the company.
"Prior to being with Ballet Futures, we were just going to classes. But the moment she signed up and got in, you could see her begin to take responsibility - of herself, of her bag"
Just a few years since launching, the programme is already seeing successes. This Christmas, we see three of its dancers and two of its alumni, Collins, Eden, Isabella, Nathaniel and Nylah performing roles in English National Ballet's brand-new production of Nutcracker, supported by Ballet Futures associated school, Adagio School of Dance. This is only the beginning:
"…we need to see more of our dancers getting into ballet schools, and on stage. One of our biggest challenges is changing the mindsets that are firmly embedded in the culture of classical ballet. Artistic directors, school directors, teachers, audiences - we have all been conditioned, to a certain extent. I think it's important we start to dissolve these mindsets and create new ones… Being part of Ballet Futures empowers our young dancers with the knowledge that there is a space for them within our artform" she adds, "and that their role could be one of the driving forces that brings change."
Viv'Art is one of five associated schools across the UK, including; Adagio School of Dance in Brentwood, Dupont Dance Stage School in Leicester, Spotlight Stage School in Birmingham, Viv'Art Movement Academy in East London, and West London School of Dance.