2026 Dance Commissions
We are looking for proposals from creatives (as individuals or organisations) to:
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Develop their or other’s own dance practice
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Create new dance work to be shared as a live performance or film
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Impact communities and share dance with others.
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Be available to perform as part of Leap Dance Festival 24th April - 9th May 2026
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This year, our commissions will support: ​
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LGBTQIA+ artists living and working in Liverpool, to be performed during an evening of new work by local queer artists. Applicants must identify as LGBTQIA+.
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A new dance film to be shared during Leap 2026, both online and at events during the festival. See examples of previous Leap film commissions.
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A community dance commission working with a group of Global Majority Women, exploring dance of the African Diaspora. We are looking for proposals from global majority female artists from the wider Liverpool City Region.
​The small fund has been made possible with funding from UK Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) and Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and will be managed by Chaos Arts CIC.
Fund amount:
Culture Liverpool and Chaos Arts CIC are looking to award grant commissions of between £1000 - £2000
We anticipate that we will be able to award 4 commissions via this fund.
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One LGBTQIA+ emerging artist will receive additional mentorship as part of their commission, thanks to support from Homotopia.
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Please ensure you read the guidance before applying, available via the application link below.
LGBTQIA+ dance
classes
City Centre
We've launched a new dance group for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Liverpool City Region.
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Join us for a fun and inclusive class that will help you stay fit and active followed by a social to get to know participants better.
No experience necessary
24 Hope Street
L1 9BX
Tuesday 7pm - 8pm
FREE
Dance Fitness classes
Bootle
A weekly dance class open to adults of all ages.
The focus of these classes is on fun and fitness combining aerobic exercise, mobilisation and a gentle stretch with great music and lots of dancing.
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No experience necessary
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St John and St James Church
71 Bailey Drive
Bootle
L20 6EX
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Thursdays 7pm - 8pm
£6
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African and Caribbean
Dance class for women
Anfield
A weekly dance class open to women of all ages.
The focus of these classes is on fun and fitness combining aerobic exercise, mobilisation and a gentle stretch with dance styles and rhythms from Africa and The Caribbean
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No experience necessary
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Liverpool Lighthouse
Oakfield Road
L4 0UF​
Tuesday 7pm - 8pm
FREE
Get Active Knowsley
We are working across Knowsley in schools and youth centres to make more young people active through participation in dance.
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Our first round saw 21 young people at Huyton with Roby C of E Primary taking part in 7 weeks of dance classes culminating in a performance for parents and teachers.
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If you are a Primary School teacher or run a youth group in Knowsley contact paul@leapfestival.co.uk to find out how your young people can get involved.
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