RISE: Associate Director Programme
RISE: Associate Director Programme 2025/26
Our newly developed Associate Director Programme focuses on the next generation of artists who want to excel in the leadership of Hip-Hop youth dance companies. We are seeking to support aspiring Artistic Directors who place youth practice at the heart of their ambition.
This paid opportunity will provide three experienced youth dance artists/leaders with the chance to develop skills and expertise, and gain insight into the role of Artistic Director.
Each artist will take part in a 5-week residency with Impact Dance Academy, where they will shadow Artistic Director Hakeem Onibudo, support Academy faculty and create a new piece of choreography on the Impact Dance Academy or Youth Company.
During the residency each artist will benefit from a structured workshop programme with the Impact team to gain advice, support and skills across a wide spectrum of areas, including artistic planning, business development, goal setting, marketing & communications, and best practice in the studio.
Each artist will also have access to up to five days of studio space in-kind to develop their own choreographic practice (subject to availability).
Criteria
- At least five years’ experience working within youth Hip-Hop / Street Dance
- Aspirations to become an Associate / Artistic Director within the youth dance sector
- Strong teaching skills
- Strong choreographic skills, including the creation of work for stage performance
- Clear creative vision
- Willingness to immerse yourself in the culture of a company
- Potential to lead, or experience of leading the creative culture of an organisation
- Ability to pivot between artistic and logistical demands
- Awareness of current dance sector developments and trends
- Ability to communicate with a variety of team members and a willingness to learn and share ideas
Applicants should be available on five consecutive Saturdays to attend Impact Dance Academy in our central London studio, for one of the following half-term blocks:
Autumn Term 2: 8 November – 6 December 2025
Spring Term 1: 10 January – 7 February 2026
Spring Term 2: 28 February – 28 March 2026
Applicants are also required to be available to attend staff meetings and mentoring sessions on Tuesdays (ideally in person) within the relevant 5-week block from 10:30am – 2:30pm.
Impact Dance is committed to supporting dance artists who face systemic inequality (due to ethnicity, disability, background, or access to opportunity) and we particularly welcome applications from artists of colour practising dances of the African diaspora.
Residency Fee*
This paid opportunity will provide a £1,500 all-inclusive fee for 5 x Saturdays (full days) & 5 x Tuesdays (half days).
Apply for RISE: Associate Director Programme 2025/26
The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 24 August 2025.
If you are shortlisted for interview, our Artistic Director would like to observe your teaching practice at one of your own youth dance classes between Monday 1 – Friday 19 September 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will also be invited to attend an informal interview on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the RISE: Associate Director Programme please contact kim@impactdance.co.uk
*We believe that financial difficulty shouldn’t stop anyone from accessing dance opportunities. If you face financial barriers please contact us to discuss support options around travel and access.
