Dance Inclusion

A project of dance and music to help confront the problems caused by unemployment, social exclusion and disregard for the environment

LODZ

century purpose built mill town. It was to the Continent what Manchester was to the British Empire. The richest magnates in the Russian Empire lived in Lodz. Now, as in Manchester, the factories are silent, empty, crumbling. New businesses are being encouraged to develop though there are few substantial signs of social regeneration within the city apart from the Manufaktura shopping centre. Alcoholism and unemployment seem insurmountable problems.

The problems facing Lodz

Unemployment.

Domestic violence.

Alcoholism.

Youth drain: the over 16s look for a life elsewhere.

Vandalism.

Perceived prejudice against Lodz from the rest of the Poland.

The positives

New arts initiatives including the Art Academy, the Philharmonic Hall, Manufaktura, a superb industrial conversion offering huge potential for large and small scale projects.

Why dance and music?

Dance and music have the power to change lives whatever the age or condition of life. Young or old, employed or unemployed, comfortable middle class or street children, free or imprisoned, sophisticated urban dwellers or from the poorest of African villages, all can have their lives transformed through an active contact with music and dance.

How do societies benefit?

No society can afford to have a large group of people that feel excluded from the core. A society is made up of individuals. Happier people make a better society. Change an individual`s sense of self-worth and you transform society.

Proposal

Dance United and Fundacja Nowa Orkiestra Kameralna propose a joint project for April/May/June 2010 in Lodz.Partners should include the City Council, Business Councils and groups, the BPCC, the Filharmonic Society, the Dance Academy, Film School, Art Academy.250 participants from inner city secondary schools.Duration 12 weeks rehearsing for 3 hours three times a week..The project will culminate in a huge public performance with the participants.The performance and rehearsals should take place in a disused industrial area with space for a large performance area and up to 6000 seats.

How Lodz and Sponsors will benefit

Raise the profile of Lodz.Raise the self-esteem of the community attracting younger people to stay.Raise an awareness of the value of the environment of Lodz.Stimulate outside investment and possible alternatives to long term unemployment.A great media event.

Who we are.

Dance United, based in London, is a leading British charity working to strengthen social structure through dance. It works with the British criminal justice service, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Adugna Community Dance Theatre Company in Ethopia. It does pioneering work in education throughout Britain and is permanently supported by the Arts Council.

Who we are

Fundacja Nowa Orkiestra Kameralna is based in Warsaw and is unique in Poland because of its outreach programme. Apart from concert giving, the foundation promotes music in hospitals, pro-active schools programmes, concerts for families, teacher training programmes and music in business. It is supported by the City of Warsaw and recognised by the Ministry of Culture. www.fnok.pl