ABOUT US

Woking Dance Festival presents and develops dance in major festivals, seasons and special projects.

The Festival presents seasons of international dance, commissions new work and engages local people directly in creating and performing dance. It works with associate artists, international artists in residence and guest artists.

Its biennial international festival is the largest dance festival in the South East of England, committed to presenting a diverse programme of dance from across the globe and hosting a number of UK premieres.

Last year, Woking Dance Festival launched a three-year International Exchange Programme - Dance Dialogues - working with artists across Africa. In the first year of its launch the prorgamme worked with International Artists Andreya Ouamba (Senegal), Fattou Cisse (Senegal), Imed Jemaa (Tunisia), Kebaya Moturi (Kenya), James Mweu (Kenya) & Opiyo Okach (Kenya).

Formed in 1995 as Woking Dance Umbrella, Woking Dance Festival rebranded in 2003 following the appointment of Festival Director, Eckhard Thiemann.

A new management structure was created this year and the first appointment was Nick Chapman, who joined us in June 2008 as Executive Director. Nick joined us having worked in arts consultancy for five years and had previously worked for the Arts Council and stints in art centre management.

A new Programme Director will be appointed in October.

Woking Dance Festival is funded by Arts Council England and Woking Borough Council.