New Residency Artists announced at LEVEL Centre

In 2021 LEVEL Centre launched its Artist Residency Scheme, a funded research and development opportunity for professional artists who either identify as disabled or whose work is suitable for learning disabled adults and the wider community.

The pilot scheme was a great success, and throughout the year LEVEL was able to support artists with bold, ambitious and cutting-edge ideas that strengthen the charity's mission to celebrate the 'Art that Difference Makes' and continue to bring high quality art to rural Derbyshire.

Executive Director Kerry Andrews said:

“We are thrilled that our residency lab continues to attract brilliant artists working across different art forms and whose work nurtures, develops and supports artists or ideas that really reflect our Mission in creating, promoting and celebrating the art that ‘difference’ makes. We hope that our initial support helps these artist ideas to develop work that has a future life for audiences across the UK to enjoy”.

With thanks to Arts Council England and Derbyshire County Council, LEVEL are able continue their Artist Residency Scheme as part of their regular programme in 2022. They are delighted to introduce the next artists who will be starting their residency from February 2022:

Daniel Longhurst is a Derby born dance artist, graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a focus on physicality, improvisation and contact work at the core of his practice. In 2021 Daniel spent time exploring grounding and non-verbal communication; themes that are informed by his brother who is non-verbal and on the autistic spectrum. During his residency, Daniel will be exploring his experiences of working as his brother's informal carer through his choreographic work.


Part of Amici Dance Theatre Company, Young Amici shares the same ethos as its parent company, providing a safe space where individual creativity can develop. During their residency Young Amici will be exploring connection - choreographing a piece with other dance groups through sending written dances, messages and drawings to each other.

Separate Doors is a theatre company who aim to increase the representation of people with learning disabilities and neuro-diversities in theatre, film and TV. Following on from the success of their Writing Tomorrow’s Theatre project, during their time at LEVEL they will be using their residency to work with an advisory board of learning-disabled actors and explore ideas for their next project Directing Tomorrow’s Theatre.

Gobscure make award-winning sound-art and are part of Graeae's Beyond scheme supporting disabled artists. During their residency they will be collaborating with Alex Kelly of Sheffield-based theatre company Third Angel, developing their next show Heartfelt - a highly visual show with bleak humour, offering creative and interactive ways to rewrite the future.

For more information about the artists and their work with LEVEL, visit the the Level website or follow @levelcentre on social media for updates throughout their residencies.

Applications for the next round of Artist Residencies will open in the summer, more information will be available on the LEVEL website.