Let’s chat!
We’re at an exciting moment in the company’s journey as we move forward under the artistic direction of Jack Philp.
Building on the legacy of the organisation, we’re looking ahead to a new chapter, continuing to create ambitious and inclusive dance experiences while strengthening connections across communities, artists and the wider professional dance landscape.
As we begin shaping this next phase, we are opening the doors and inviting people in for a conversation, a coffee, and a chance to get to know the team.
Come grab a coffee, meet Jack and the team, and catch up with with fellow artists, partners, and participants.
DATE: Tuesday 16 June
TIME: 11am – 12pm
PLACE: Crescent Arts Centre Boardroom (First Floor)
This is a relaxed drop-in gathering, so feel free to come by whenever suits you. To help us manage numbers, please RSVP HERE.
Accessibility and dietary requests are warmly welcome. For further information, contact morag@dudanceni.com
See you there!
We’re delighted to share that DU Dance (NI) has been awarded £20,000 in funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
This support comes at an important moment for the organisation and will help strengthen our ongoing work with communities and young people across Northern Ireland, while supporting the company through its next chapter.
The Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded grant-maker supporting charities across the UK that make a positive difference within their communities.
A sincere thanks to the Foundation for their belief in the value of long-term, community rooted dance practice.
We’re excited for what’s ahead.
With the generous time and support of the Belfast Boys parents, we have produced a really compelling short film which explains exactly why this project means so much to so many.
We hope you find it really enlightening and do get in touch if you would like to find out more, or share your thoughts about our unique youth engagement project Belfast Boys.
Earlier this month, new artistic director Jack Philp met with the Arts Council Northern Ireland to share a little more about what inspires him and what excites him for the future. You can read the full blog HERE and watch short clip from the interview below:
Over the past fourteen years, the Unanimous platform has continued to expand and help young people from the ages of 12-24 years to get together in a professional theatre, develop skills, share their experience and form new connections.
This year we were delighted to be joined at The MAC Belfast for the first time by Derry Dance Collective. Then, alongside two groups from DU Dance NI’s Youth Engagement Programmes; Sutemos Youth Dance and Belfast Boys, Unanimous also welcomed Claire Novaes Dance (Moira), Dublin Youth Dance Company, FYI Dance Club (Wicklow), High Points Youth Ballet (Belfast), Ohr Dance Company and Laois Youth Dance Ensemble (Juniors and Seniors). Have a look at the photo collage below.
It was a fantastic evening compèred with great energy by the Youth Steering Group. As with previous Unanimous showcase events, audiences enjoyed a great variety of powerful performances and the feedback was really positive:
Excellent. Very fun and loved seeing the dancers enjoying themselves.
Well organised and professional.
Outstanding!!
Really interesting and diverse.
Unanimous brings together some of the best youth dance groups in a non-competitive event. The diversity of the line-up for Unanimous always serves to reaffirm DU Dance (NI)’s commitment to fostering dance talent and providing a supportive professional environment for dancers of all backgrounds. When asked why youth dance is important, here are some of the responses from the audience:
It is vital for self-expression, making friendships, some discipline and exercise.
Youth dance is vital for youth people to have the opportunity to express themselves, to learn something new and engage with peers
If you were there, do tell us what you thought.
We look forward to doing it all again in April 2027!
Join us in welcoming Donna Sun, a postgraduate student at Queen’s University, who has joined us on a course placement whilst she takes the MA in Arts Management.
Donna is a professional dancer from Taiwan, an avid theatre-goer and enjoys writing. She is keen to translate these cross-disciplinary passions into a professional career in arts administration. Over the next few weeks, Donna will focus on content creation in the run up to Unanimous and support with event logistics on the day.
On living in Belfast, Donna says: “Belfast is a fantastic city that boasts a diverse culture, friendly people, and a vibrant arts scene. I’m absolutely loving life in this city, and I’m thrilled to have become part of DU Dance!”
And we look forward to working with you Donna!
UNANIMOUS 2026 tickets are live! Visit themaclive.com or click this LINK.
Unanimous is a powerful, energy-packed show for all the family. It takes place on Thursday 2nd April at 7pm at The MAC Belfast and tickets are just £10 or £6 for Under 16s and concessions.
The annual performance showcase features ten of the best youth dance groups – including Sutemos and Belfast Boys – and this year we are delighted to welcome Derry Dance Collective.
Cara Wilson-Hegarty, Teacher/Choreographer and Studio Owner of Derry Dance Collective said:
“Being part of Unanimous 2026 is a hugely exciting opportunity for Derry Dance Collective. For our senior dancers, it’s a chance to perform on a respected youth dance platform, connect with other young artists, and represent Derry in a wider dance community. We are especially excited to share the stage, learn from others, and be part of such an inspiring event.”
Come along to Unanimous and see the dancers of tomorrow!
Photo of Mannin Youth Dance at last year’s event. Credit to Jim Corr Photography
On Sunday 1 February, Mags, Debs and Barbara attended Belfast Cathedral’s annual Good Samaritans’ Service on behalf of DU Dance (NI) to receive a very welcome donation from The 2025 Black Santa Sit-out Appeal. This generous donation will immensely benefit Alternative Energies, our intergenerational dance programme in Ballycastle.
This year’s Sit-out raised over £140,000, all of which has been shared out among over 100 local charities.
The 50th Anniversary Appeal (Black Santa 2026) is expected to begin in December 2026.
(Photo of interior of Belfast Cathedral during the Good Samaritans’ Service.)
Arts Award is a UK wide initiative which takes anyone aged up to 25 on a creative journey, exploring the arts world, discovering their potential as artists, developing leadership skills – and gaining a recognised qualification along the way.
In 2025-26, DU Dance are offering the young people on our Young Engagement Projects the opportunity to avail of this unique range of qualifications. We will be running the Explore Award with our younger classes and the Bronze Award with our older classes. Both are completely voluntary with no examination at the end and the young people respond to the sections in the booklet with drawings, collage, photographs and writing. At the end of the programme there is a visit from an assessor who will talk to them to ensure the booklet has been filled out and the course has been completed.
The awards are regulated in Northern Ireland by CCEA and the awarding organisation is Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England.
We look forward to supporting the artists and arts leaders of the future!