Support Eliot Smith Dance’s 15th Anniversary

Aim

We're raising £5,000 to support Eliot Smith Dance's 15th anniversary year of bold performances, workshops, and community events in 2026!

15 Years of Creativity, Community & Change

Since 2011, Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) has been a bold and inspiring voice for contemporary dance, rooted in the North East of England and reaching audiences across the world.

From humble beginnings to international stages — including performances in New York, Rome, Paris, and the region of North Denmark — ESD has grown into a company celebrated for its powerful performances, inclusive workshops, and community engagement.

Our mission is simple:
To create unforgettable contemporary dance experiences and make contemporary dance accessible to everyone, especially those in underserved areas.

Now, as we approach our 15th anniversary in 2026, we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating this milestone year and shaping the future of dance in our communities.

Our Vision for the 15th Anniversary Year

Your support will help us deliver a full year of inspiring activities — a vibrant celebration of creativity, collaboration, and connection.

With your help, we’ll be able to:

• Commission new works by Eliot Smith and guest choreographers
• Present performances and tours across the North East and beyond — including Eliot Smith’s long-awaited return to the stage in a special performance in Newcastle
• Deliver free and low-cost workshops for communities, schools, and youth groups, that have been shown to be efficacious and beneficial in improving mental and physical wellbeing
• Host a special celebration event bringing together audiences, artists, and supporters
• Invest in dancers, creatives, and production teams who make our work possible

Every pound raised will go directly toward supporting creativity, accessibility, and the joy of dance in 2026 and beyond.

Why We Need Your Support

As an independent dance company, ESD thrives thanks to the generosity of people like you — our audiences, collaborators, and champions of the arts.

However, funding for the arts is becoming increasingly difficult to secure, with growing demand and fewer available resources. Your support is now more vital than ever to help us continue creating and sharing our work with communities across the North East and beyond.

Your donation helps us sustain our artistic vision and expand our reach.
Here’s what your support can do:

• £25 – Funds a free place for a local community participant in a dance workshop
• £50 – Supports studio hire for new creative development
• £100 – Covers travel for our dancers to perform across the UK
• £250 – Contributes to the creation of a new dance commission
• £500+ – Helps stage our 15th Anniversary performances and events

Together, we can make sure that everyone — no matter their background — can experience the power and beauty of dance.

Rewards for Supporters (Optional)

If your platform supports tiered rewards, you can include these:

£10 – Thank You from the Heart

• Your name on our 15th Anniversary Supporters Wall
• Personal thank-you message from the ESD team
• Exclusive campaign updates

£25 – Digital Celebration Pack

• Thank-you video from our dancers
• Behind-the-scenes photos
• Digital anniversary programme

£50 – Friends of ESD

• All £25 rewards
• Digital artwork inspired by our 15th Anniversary
• Your name in our digital performance programmes

£100 – Behind the Scenes Access

• All £50 rewards
• Virtual rehearsal access with Eliot Smith
• Special mention in our anniversary newsletter

£250 – VIP Celebration Invitation

• All £100 rewards
• Invitation for two to a 15th Anniversary performance + reception
• Meet the dancers and creative team

£500+ – Anniversary Patron

• All previous rewards
• Recognition as a 15th Anniversary Patron in programmes & online
• Private rehearsal invitation with Eliot Smith
• Signed programme & photo with the company

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Join the Celebration

2026 will be a landmark year for Eliot Smith Dance — a time to reflect on our journey, celebrate creativity, and inspire the future.

By supporting this crowdfunder, you’re helping to keep contemporary dance thriving in the North East and beyond.
Every donation, share, and kind word brings us closer to our goal.

Let’s make our 15th Anniversary a year to remember.
Support Eliot Smith Dance today and keep us dancing into the next 15 years!

This project successfully funded on 31st December 2025