A different route

Meet George Williams - an exceptional dance artist with a learning disability.

Because conventional training routes aren't easily accessible to dancers like George, TIN Arts supported him to find his own way to develop the skills and experiences he needs as an artist.

George first joined TIN Arts when he left school at 18. His raw talent was obvious but his learning disability meant he was unable to access Higher Education due to the academic elements.

"I have always loved dancing and it is something I find easy and fun to do." - George

As a dance artist, experiencing diverse styles and methods is crucial so TIN Arts supported George to audition for the National Youth Dance Company. 
 
He became the first young dancer with a learning disability to be accepted in 2015.

"It was great to dance alongside other people my age who I hadn't met before. It was the first time I had been away from home.

It was hard and tough but I kept at it and really enjoyed it. It made me want to keep dancing and make my own dance pieces." - George

His experience with the National Youth Dance Company inspired George to go back to the studio and create his own work as an independent artist. TIN Arts continued to support him with planning, fundraising, producing and the creative/rehearsal process. 

This all had to happen in a way that suited George's needs. Being embedded with TIN Arts meant that time and space could be set aside to undertake the process slowly and sensitively to ensure George's ideas were central to any plans.

His first solo show was 'WIRED'. It was performed over 15 times across England and George was shortlisted for a National Lottery Award.

"WIRED is about my bedroom; I have wires everywhere! DJ decks, speakers, consoles - lots of thing and it is my favourite place to be." - George

TIN Arts and George agreed his success could be used to inspire others and create more opportunities for dance artists to enter in to the dance sector. 

So The Talent Hub was born: a pilot dance training programme for dancers with a learning disability or who are autistic.

With George as the figurehead, and with partners Yorkshire Dance and Inclusion North, the Talent Hub explored how best to provide bespoke tailored inclusive dance training. 
  
It would involve residencies, mentoring, coaching as well as national touring. 

In the final year of the programme, the dance piece 'HELM' was created working with Theo Clinkard. The piece had dedicated sections for each dance artist to share their talent and what they were capable of. 

Although in 2020 the Pandemic meant the tour had to be abandoned part-way through, George and the Talent Hub had made huge strides in raising discussion and debate about how the dance sector can better support dance artists with a learning disability or who are autistic.

George continues to plan and plot his next steps which include more time developing as a dance teacher, the creation of a new solo piece called 'What Chance Have I?' as well as national touring with an outdoor dance piece called 'Got Your Nose'.