Sharing our work

Doodle Dance’s work is shared through a dissemination model. This allows each piece of work created for participation to have a wider impact. Reflective practice and evaluation support resources and content of Artist support sessions.

Creative activity designed within projects is shared in smaller pieces within the local community as further outreach.

Findings of research and practice within projects and delivery are shared to artists in the FUEL COLLLECTIVE and to members of the Primary Dance Network.

“Each piece of work has a number of connection points to our audiences. Through research, reflection and evaluation we want to take the most useful elements of the work and create a way of sharing this to increase Doodle Dance’s impact. This has led to the creation of our Fuel Collective,  becoming co administrator for The Primary Dance Network  and our Resources. Through sharing and supporting each other we can support the arts industry we truly believe in!” Jo Cone

Artist Support Sessions: Individually tailored 1:1 or small group

Artists Support sessions are now available for Artist to ‘self fund’ or to ‘fund’ via funding bids. To discuss your support requirements and discuss fees contact doodledancejo@gmail.com

I have had regular, online, artist support sessions with Jo over the past 6 months. They have been transformative! Having changed my career path later in life to enter into community dance work, I was needing some guidance and direction –  Jo has provided these things and more! Each session has been tailored to my specific needs, with enough structure in place to feel assured that we would cover all important aspects of the session, but with enough freedom to address any new issues that arose. Jo brings so much knowledge and wisdom from her many years of experience, yet never once have I felt inferior, and this is due to her ability to remain real and authentic about her own journey. Regularly reminding me to share not only my challenges but also my ‘celebrations’, has been such an encouraging part of the process and I feel immeasurably more positive about the future of my work than I would have done without her amazing support. Laura Biddulph

 

Primary Dance Network

The network is jointly administrated by network founder Louise Jaggard, Claire Pring and Doodle Dance Jo Cone. The network aims to reduce isolation, support teachers and artists at all levels and abilities working in the primary dance sector and be inclusive, celebratory and promote best practice.

It is currently offering weekly Making a Move networking prompts, well being info and support such as music suggestions, playlists, lesson plans and prompts. It also has a seasonal programme of lives and disseminates supportive content from Doodle Dance funded work. The network is made up of over 600 UK and international members. To join and benefit from this FREE network follow the link in the above heading.

I think in general this group is filled with amazing people. Who are so supportive, non competitive and so generous. Thanks to all admins and all who contribute. It certainly helps me both directly and indirectly. Faye 

Just wanted to come on here to praise this group! Someone posted the other day for ideas for a sea life class, the ideas that everyone put forward were brilliant and really inspired me  today we were underwater explorers with a SEN primary group and they loved it! Thankyou very much all! Kirsty

Jo Cone I absolutely love this group! It’s wonderful for ideas, connecting and feels such a kind and safe space, Thankyou and well done admin. Kirsty

 

Making a Move

Making a Move is an easy to use collection of 30 dance lessons for primary aged children to continue to develop their dance skills and well-being. It was written in response to Covid 19 however all ideas are fully useable today now we have moved beyond social distancing. Each idea still enables the children to work creatively. The resource is downloadable and printable for immediate use.

Playtimes and Artist Training: October 2023 Playtime details to be announced soon!

Our annual Playtimes are an exciting way to introduce Dance Artists to Doodle Dance and are our way of welcoming new Doodle dancers to our team. Over the last 3 years we have trained Claire Roberts and Catherine Sleeman to join our team as our Doodle Dance Trainee Artists and both have progressed to become delivering artists. Claire is currently on maternity but we look forward to welcoming her back on return.

The team is hoping to grow again in October as we run our next Playtime which will introduce more artists whilst celebrating, reflecting and sharing aspects of our ‘Leading to a curious world’ project.

We will be sharing information on this soon as well as the opportunity to become the next trainee Doodle Dancer!

“Jo has been an encouraging influence on my practice for many years since having attended some of her training courses and having had the pleasure of working alongside her for a project called ‘Dance Bites’. Sharing her knowledge, creativity and infectious ethos towards dance has supported me greatly.” Claire Roberts

FUEL Collective

FUEL COLLECTIVE is a Doodle Dance initiative that has invited 5 Independent Dance and Movement Artists who work with children within educational settings and the wider community. FUEL recognises the importance of the well being for the artist and the work/life balance needed. It started in lockdown when Jo recognised she could reallocate funding to midcareer artists who found their selves with having to adapt to the pandemic. 

FUEL has allowed us time to share our fears, ambitions, concerns and experiences. All members are mothers and have contributed a lot to the industry. It has been a welcomed time together to fuel ourself by sharing and connecting. FUEL creates opportunity for a meeting of creative minds and disciplines, enabling the cross-fertilization of ideas and approaches.

As well as supporting each other, FUEL commits to Doodle Dance’s dissemination model, meaning that useful and supportive discoveries will be shared with artists from the wider Community Arts field. Doodle Dance hopes that FUEL will support artists to feel less isolated, providing support, stimulus and engaging discussions for fuelling imaginations.