Audiences North East was commissioned to evaluate Trading Places, a series of free performances based on cross artform collaboration led by creative movement bringing dance to unique locations across the North East region. The site specific performances were developed by local artists and included collaboration with local communities and national and international artists. The commissions were supported by Arts Council England, North East and Dance City, the National Dance Agency for the region.
The six commissions included in the evaluation are as follows:
Turning on a Sixpence, 27 June 2009, Crisis Skylight, Newcastle upon Tyne
Taking inspiration from the stories of homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers currently living in the North East, this performance explored the simple humanity of people on the margins of society – allowing them a voice to express themselves.
SEARCH, 4 July 2009, Gateshead Central Library
SEARCH celebrated King Cyrus’s Cylinder, which was created in 539 BC in clay and is the first known declaration of human rights. Developed by professional artists and performed by a community ensemble, this promenade performance took place in and amongst the aisles of Gateshead Central Library – revealing secrets and uncovering forgotten truths.
Traces & Graces, 10 – 13 September 2009, Whalton Manor Gardens, Northumberland
Inspired by stories and memories of a rarely seen Lutyens House and Jekyll garden this promenade performance featured historical dance, sculpture and live music and created an intergenerational vehicle for local people to celebrate their environment and share it with visiting audiences.
Broken Times, 18 – 20 September 2009, Scrogg Road, Walker
Broken Times featured a promenade performance within a disused shop using dance, digital imagery and music. The performance drew on the death of a local woman in mysterious circumstances in the 1950s.
Flagrant Wisdom, 21 – 22 November 2009, National Glass Centre, Sunderland
This commission was inspired by the 1,300 year-old history and culture of glass making in the North East, National Glass Centre’s hot glass production studio and the 2,000 year tradition that sees Chinese acrobats transform ordinary domestic vessels with daring feats of skill. A series of vignettes were performed throughout the National Glass Centre alongside hot glass demonstrations.
Cassop and Coal, 2 – 4 December 2009, Cassop School
This performance revealed the tremendous impact coal had on the lives of people living in Cassop, County Durham and surrounding communities. Based on research and enquiries collated from interviews with individuals, families and historians connected to the past, present and future of coal, the performance journeyed from the local public house on a 1950s coach to Cassop School and back.
The following evaluation methods were used:
Audiences:
- Electronic questionnaires
- Face-to-face interviews
- Analysis of audience comment cards
Collaborators:
- Electronic questionnaires
- Review of income and expenditure accounts
Artists:
- Face-to-face interviews
- Electronic questionnaires
- Attendance at feedback meetings
- Observation at rehearsals, workshops and performances
- Analysis of data provided by the commissions
- Review of press coverage achieved