Dance Co‑operative Birmingham: Performing arts professionals finding strength in numbers

“Collaborative working isn’t new to dance or the creative arts in general,” said Dance Co‑operative Birmingham founder Karen Wood. 

“Working in an equal way is something we’ve always been used to doing to get anything done. Being a co‑op gives us the structure and formalises this way of working.” 

A new venture in the early stages of development, Dance Co‑operative Birmingham currently comprises 10 freelance dance professionals who’ve joined forces to reap the benefits of their collective power. 

“We’re currently looking at a couple of local options and are pretty close to coming to an agreement,” Karen said. 

“Bringing freelancers together in a co‑op is also a better way to share resources, knowledge and expertise.

“Individually, we all have bits and bobs of resources – props, dance floors, lighting, a motion capture suit – that we can now share as a community. 

“It’s also empowering for artists to have a way to practice, perform and develop without relying on other institutions.

“We’re all directors – we all have responsibility and are accountable to each other, as well as being accountable to ourselves as freelancers. The co‑op’s success is down to each one of us.”

The business came about as a result of the connections that had been forged by the Birmingham Dance Network, which Karen also co‑directs. 

“The network was set up to connect people – and that’s what the co‑op is about too. Tackling the isolation that freelancers often experience.”

To set up as a co‑op, Karen and her colleagues were aided by the Business Support for Co‑ops programme, delivered by Co‑operatives UK in partnership with The Co‑operative Bank.

They received expert support from co-operative advisor Andy Wynne. 

“Andy was brilliant. He helped us find the right model for the way we work and helped us set up as a co‑operative community interest company (CIC). 

“He helped us devise the right governing documents, our risk register and the policies we need. He also got us thinking about a three-year business plan – all the formal things that can feel dry and boring but which are absolutely necessary.

“We are quite a diverse bunch, so we had different access requirements particularly with written documents that are laden with unfamiliar, formal language and abbreviations. 

“Andy talked us through them and highlighted the key points, which helped us understand things better – it was really helpful.”

Incorporated in April 2024, the co‑op soon got their first commission – to produce a piece for the opening of the West Midlands Ownership Hub (a joint venture between the West Midlands Combined Authority, Co‑operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association.) 

Three of their members got together with Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi to create a performance, which they also took to Co‑op Congress in Birmingham in June 2024. 

“We were involved in panel talks at the Ownership Hub and Co‑op Congress too,” said Karen. “These were valuable conversations that highlighted the social value of co‑ops beyond their commercial purpose.

“Working as a collective has much more to contribute in terms of wellbeing and social connection.” 

The group now has plans afoot to offer workshops, as well as a safe space for creatives. “We are aiming to be a place where we can experiment, try out new things and support each other’s artistic pursuits,” Karen said.

“It’s all looking positive for the future, particularly at a time when funding in the performing arts has declined – this is a little bit of hope.” 

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