Introduction
Dance United Yorkshire (DUY) is a Bradford-based charity dedicated to transforming lives through contemporary dance. Since 2011, we've led in arts and social inclusion, connecting marginalised communities with professional dance.
Our Vision
We aim to create outstanding choreography that leaves a lasting, positive impact on those living in difficult circumstances. We believe everyone, including those on the margins of society, should have access to high-quality contemporary dance.
Our Mission
We run projects for those who are often excluded—victims of domestic abuse, those with mental health issues, people in impoverished areas, and individuals at risk of offending or in custodial settings. Whether collaborating with leading dance companies worldwide or developing our own artists, maintaining choreographic excellence is central to our mission.
What We Do
Guided by our commitment to excellence and social impact, Dance United Yorkshire has developed a dynamic and transparent approach to transforming lives. Our work spans tailored dance projects for those facing significant challenges—such as youth offenders, mental health service users, and survivors of domestic abuse—demonstrating how dance can be a powerful force for change. These principles are at the heart of everything we do, driving us to create an organisation pledged to:
Empower individuals, particularly those from communities historically underrepresented in the arts, to build confidence, enhance physical and emotional well-being, and develop vital teamwork skills, thereby fostering both personal growth and more robust community bonds.
Create transformative pathways into the arts for individuals from marginalised backgrounds, unlocking new career opportunities and broadening the spectrum of voices and perspectives within the creative sector.
Showcase our dancers' achievements at prestigious venues and festivals nationwide, inspiring new audiences—especially from underrepresented groups—and enriching the UK's cultural landscape.
Drive sustainable change by supporting participants to re-engage with education, pursue further studies, and/or secure meaningful employment, thereby contributing to their long-term success and societal enrichment.
Nurture and equip dance artists with the expertise to work effectively in challenging environments, enabling them to dismantle barriers that limit community access to the arts and champion inclusivity.
Commission visionary choreographers to elevate our dancers artistically and technically, adding innovative works to our repertory that engage and resonate with diverse audiences.
Collaborate with frontline partners to co-develop initiatives that actively engage underserved communities, ensuring a more inclusive and accessible cultural sector for all.
Sector Leader
Our impact extends well beyond Bradford, reflecting our commitment to developing and training emerging and established artists in our pioneering teaching philosophy. At the heart of our mission is nurturing a new generation of socially engaged practitioners who use dance as a powerful tool for social change. Our expertise in social inclusion through dance has made us a highly sought-after organisation, and we have been invited to deliver specialised training programmes for dance companies across the UK and abroad.
Our collaborations with esteemed organisations such as Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Akram Khan Dance bring world-class choreography to the region while offering artists invaluable learning opportunities from industry leaders.
As we look ahead to Bradford City of Culture 2025, our dedication to training and mentorship will continue to be a driving force in uniting communities through dance, ensuring we maintain our position as a leader in the sector.
