Projects
Rural Touring Dance Initiative
Latest Project News & Opportunities
- Dance in rural areas given green light as third phase of Rural Touring Dance Initiative receives national funding
- Rural Touring Dance Initiative Call Out for Artists
- Job Opportunity: Rural Touring Dance Initiative Producer
NRTF joined forces with The Place, Take Art and China Plate back in 2015 to deliver the Rural Touring Dance Initiative ( RTDI ). This innovative project, funded by Arts Council England, is helping to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of dance promoted by Rural Touring schemes all over the country.
So far the scheme has worked with 40 companies, promoting 140 shows to just under 13,000 audience members.

Overview
Get an overview of the Rural touring Dance Initiative
Project Aims
- To seek out great dance companies that are excited to tour rurally
- To support rural promoters and schemes to build audiences for dance in rural spaces
The Project Offers
- Curated dance Menus available to NRTF members – Menu 5 was launched on 9th January 2020 and can be accessed from the button on the right or downloads below. It features some of the most dynamic and charismatic contemporary dance companies in the Uk. They are Lanre Malaolu, Edifice Dance Theatre, New Art Club, Joshua ‘Vendetta’ Nash, Slanjayvah Danza, Sonia Sabri Company. Along with two new specially commissioned rural dance shows from Jo Fong & George Orange, Joan Cleville and Scottish Dance Theatre.
- To support rural promoters and schemes to build audiences for dance in rural spaces
- Induction into Rural Touring for companies new to the sector and ongoing support
- Commissioning opportunities
- ‘Go and See’ opportunities for promoters, schemes, and artists
- Participation opportunities particularly for Young People
- Tool Kit information sheets
The project has been made possible by a grant from Arts Council England’s Lottery-funded Strategic Touring Programme.
Whoever you are – if you want to keep in touch with what’s going on you can visit this page, click on the links to the right for more information and latest news stories and check out the links to our partner’s page and the background to the project.
With thanks to…
RTDI would like to thank dance organisations Dance East and Pavilion Dance South West who have supported and contributed to the Rural Touring Dance Initiative to enable dance to reach more people in rural communities.
Grateful thanks also to Arts Council Wales and The Foyle Foundation for supporting a commission of a new work and the Children and Young people element of the project.
Rural Touring Dance: Project 1 Full Film
RTDI Top Tip
Downloads
Handy guides, resources, information and more for RTDI Artists, promoters and scheme managers. All you need for starting or finding out more about a Rural Touring Dance Initiative…
Marketing for Rural Touring – Filmed Presentation from the 2019 Lab

Member Only Resource: Tech Consideration when Rural Touring – Filmed Presentation from the 2019 Lab

Previous Menus
Related Pages, Links and News…
Rural Touring Dance Initiative kicks off its 2020 with a programme of seven works from leading dance companies comprising new shows and returning favourites
What’s it like to design a dance show for Rural Touring? What’s On Stage Article
Rural Dance Touring Initiative: Call Out For Artists – Deadline October 2019
GUEST POST: RACHEL ELDERKIN ON THE RURAL TOURING DANCE INITIATIVE
Rural Touring Mechanics
Interested in touring rurally? We’ve created an online course for you
Find out moreLinks
A one-woman army – the solo performance of Antigone, Interrupted
‘I don’t like safe shows’ Why rural touring might just be the perfect place to challenge both audiences and artists…
What’s it like to design a dance show for Rural Touring? What’s On Stage Article
RTDI Company Profile: Find out more about James Wilton Dance
Partners

The place
The Place has been a driving force for contemporary dance in the UK for 45 years.

Highlights
Highlights Rural Tourign Scheme connects over 65 venues as well as volunteer promoters and artists.

Take Art
Over the last 9 years Take Art has hosted the Somerset county dance agency, supporting the… infrastructure for the development and promotion of professional dance in Somerset.

China Plate
China Plate’s portfolio of activity encompasses developing, making and programming new work.
Contact Our Dance Specialists
Find out more about our Rural Touring Dance Inititive by getting in touch with our team…
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