Freelance Inclusive Dance Artist

Job Summary

We are looking for an approachable, reliable and enthusiastic dance artist who can connect with young people and empower them to explore, experiment and have fun to work on our Dance Development Programme (DDP).

Job Description

Inspire Youth Arts (IYA) delivers weekly sessions, bespoke school holiday projects, and unique experiences in music, dance, and digital art with young people aged 9-25 years. IYA's Creative Producing team is based at The Old Library, Mansfield, NG18 1NG and works with freelance artists to deliver projects across schools, colleges, youth settings and professional arts venues in Nottingham/shire.
Creativity, access and inclusion are at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities and creative agency for all young people. We equip young people with the tools and confidence to create brilliant art. Our artists use their professional experience to develop young people's ideas into amazing original artworks that they are truly proud of. Inspire Youth Arts Dance programme includes:
- Dance classes, workshops and sessions at The Old Library and across Nottinghamshire
- Inclusive practice - everyone is welcome, we truly mean that. We support disabled and neurodivergent people to take part
- Performance opportunities at professional theatres and festivals across the UK
- Career pathways into dance and the creative industries
- Innovative experiences - working with professional dance companies and choreographers through exclusive workshops and commissioned projects
- Progression routes - through our partnership with FABRIC and One Dance UK we link dancers to the regional Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) and U.Dance

DDP is our inclusive dance mentoring programme which empowers young dancers to unlock their full potential, be inspired, build skills and gain confidence in dance. DDP offers practical experience through supported 1:1 mentoring sessions, weekly contemporary dance classes, opportunities to create original choreography and time to develop facilitation and performance skills. DDP aims to deepen artistic understanding and develop experiences to support young people aged 14-18 or up to 25 years for disabled young people

Job Requirements

We are looking for an approachable, reliable and enthusiastic dance artist who can connect with young people and empower them to explore, experiment and have fun to work on DDP.
Time commitment is Friday's, during term time, 5pm - 7pm, at The Old Library in Mansfield, NG18 1NG. Fee: £50 per hour, inclusive of travel.
Support the young people on Friday's at DDP sessions at The Old Library, Mansfield and possible intensive DDP projects during weekends and school holidays.
Deliver individual mentoring, responding to each young persons' dance interests (teaching/performing/choreography/producing and event work).
Explore possible career pathways and ensure that the young people are adequately supported when they depart DDP (at 25 years old).
Help expand the young people's knowledge and understanding of the professional dance world, connecting young people to other dance professionals and companies.
Accompanying young people to opportunities available to them (e.g. open class)

Job Responsibilities

So if you have…

Strong inclusive dance practice and technical skills in contemporary dance (other genres welcome, but DDP practice contemporary).

Connections to the professional dance industry.

Experience working in a professional dance context, as a performer/rehearsal director/choreographer.

Excellent communication skills, highly organised and approachable.

The confidence to innovate and try new approaches to dance facilitation with young people.

Inspire is committed to applying its Equality Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. The selection process will be carried out without regard to disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, pregnancy and maternity or trade union membership.

Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Inclusive Dance Artist
Salary: Under £10K
Hours: Full time
Artform: Dance
Role: Teaching
Contract: Contract
Closing date: Fri, 04 Dec 2026
Location:

East Midlands

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Job: Freelance Inclusive Dance Artist

Organisation: Inspire Youth Arts, part of Inspire Culture Learning and Libraries

Postcode: ng18 1ng

How to Apply

Please send an expression of interest outlining, in 250 words or less or a video no longer than 2 minutes in length:

Who you are and the work you do  
Why you want to work with us on our Dance Development Programme 
Your experience of working inclusively with young disabled people
Please share an up-to-date CV

Please email your expression of interest no later than 5pm on Friday 4th December 2026. Once we have reviewed your submission, we will be in touch to organise an informal chat, this could be in-person or online, whatever suits. You might then be invited along to one of our sessions, so we can see you in action! 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.  We would be happy to have an informal chat about this opportunity. For further information and to send you expression of interest please email: [email protected]. 

Contact name: Hayley Corah
Contact email: [email protected]

About Inspire Youth Arts, part of Inspire Culture Learning and Libraries

With a core focus on music, dance and digital arts, Inspire Youth Arts (IYA), part of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries promotes, creates, produces, and delivers high quality arts opportunities for young people to participate, watch, create and perform. We deliver regular weekly sessions, bespoke projects and unique opportunities for young people living in and across Nottinghamshire.

Find out more