In July 2023, 24 artists took part in an Artistic Development Week with Dance Base Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival.

Hailing from across Scotland and countries in Africa, the dancers attended classes at Dance Base to connect, collaborate and network with their international peers. Expertise in dance disciplines ranged from contemporary to hip-hop, Bhuto, to Indian classical dance.

Supported by the British Council, this development programme took place in the run-up to the significant performance of Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring / common ground[s] in August. This performance saw dancers performing in the first collaboration between the Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), École des Sables (Senegal) and Sadler’s Wells (UK).

The development week was led by Artistic Director of Dance Base, Tony Mills and focused on daily classes and work in small groups where the participants took part in reflections and conversations with a focus on creation and artistic devising.

The aim of the Artistic Development Week was for the Scottish and international artists to connect and share practice, opening themselves to new techniques and creative approaches. They forged new connections with national and international peers though creating work together.