Moving on from the day to day work of Dance United is a very tough call indeed so I’m delighted to have been invited to become a trustee with effect from the end of March. These past five years have given me the most important opportunity of my working-life. As a development company Dance United is always on the move, building on what works but never afraid to face the unknown, stepping into often high-risk territory in order to discover the extraordinary.
It has been awe-inspiring working with such an exceptionally gifted team of people – whether here in London at our main office, in Yorkshire or in Wessex. A rare mix of creativity, a dogged determination in pursuit of the very best; combining tender-loving care of all our young people with innovation, professionalism and entrepreneurship – not easy to come by. Our work together has been a serious business but we have had so much fun too – a tall order in such testing times.
There will be much to draw upon as I move on to an exciting new role in arts and health but some highlights for me have been the early days of shaping the new Academy model in Bradford, transferring and reinterpreting the programme for London, the Destino production and film bringing the company back to its roots with Junaid and Addisu in Ethiopia and of course watching Dance United’s amazing dance artists work their magic on our young people such that small miracles happen every day. Rite of Passage has been the unifying theme across our programmes and what a rite of passage it has been for me – not simply transition but transformation – my time with Dance United has been nothing short of life-changing.
My heart-felt thanks to Dance United’s Board and all the staff, as well as to funders and other supporters who have given the company the opportunity to show just what it is made of. I look forward to dedicating all my might and main to my new role as trustee.
Nikki Crane
Nikki Crane has been a Strategic Adviser for Artistic Programme and Media for Dance United over the past five years and we are delighted to welcome her on to our Board of Trustees.
