NEWS

Breakin' Convention receives Arts Council Grant  (1 Feb 2008)

Sadler's Wells Theatre has received a funding increase from the Arts Council of England from 2008 to 2010 to support the development of Breakin' Convention. This grant will enable Breakin' Convention to expand its activity to include: national touring; building partnerships with regional venues and dance agencies to create a network of Breakin’ Convention Hubs to develop work with local hip hop artists; producing year-round professional development courses for UK hip hop dance theatre companies, choreographers and artists and commissioning new work.

Breakin' Convention Artistic Director, Jonzi D, said:   “The success of Breakin’ Convention proves there is more to Hip Hop culture than the stereotypical ‘bling bling, gangsta rapper’ image constantly presented in the media. Breakin’ Convention is the first festival in the UK that provides an international platform of artistic excellence in breakin’, popping, locking and the various developments in street dance forms. We are delighted that we can continue developing this fresh and funky dance style, re-energising the theatre for artists and audiences looking for something new.”

Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director of Sadler's Wells, backed this up with:   “We are delighted with this recognition from the Arts Council of our work with Breakin' Convention. Hip hop dance provides the perfect introduction to the art form for newcomers of all ages, and it’s fantastic that we will now be able to take some of the pioneering work we have been undertaking in London further afield.”