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Project OK, based in Warwickshire, is a community led dance & cross arts provision. We use innovative performance work, collaboration & outreach programmes to support mental health & well-being and advocate through our work, for social cohesion & changed narratives. The impact of our work spans across the region and beyond.
The launch of Project OK in 2024 saw high quality dance and creative provision, thus cultural activity, igniting social change, in two isolated communities, Southam & Nuneaton, where there is a gap in creative provision for all, & resources for career progression & professionals.
Stay connected. Head to our opportunities page to find out about events, happenings, performances, and how to get involved.
FEELINGS
FEELINGS
Venue: The Community Hub Southam
Captured at ‘Nosh & Natter’.
Photography: Offshoots Photography
Feelings
For age 5+
Directed by: Kate Taylor
Made in collaboration with Steph Townsend & Lexy Garner
‘Inside my heart and in my head, all kinds of feelings dwell’ Feelings are real. They make us who we are. Meet two characters, who show us it’s ok to not be ok, to feel all the feels. What defines you? Who’s got your back. Own your feelings. Share them. Behind each emotion is a wonderful person, carving out their own way, and that person is you.
Costume Design:
Deborah Dutton & Mary Stephens
Sound Design:
Nathaniel Reed
Artists used:
Seb Wildblood
Piano Interrupted Tom Hodge & Franz Kirmann
Kid Koala
Eskmo, Brendan Angelides
Clark
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Kiasmos, Olafur Arnalds, Janus Rasmussen
Bersarin Quartett
The focus and theme is mental health and wellbeing, and how the power of movement, creativity and freedom of expression can have a positive impact.
The reach of this impact will be significant, with a myriad of ways, opportunities and sites for people to access the project, and a strong synergy will be seen across both central and north Warwickshire. This will include taking part, observing, space holding, and being inspired and informed by live performance. The projects ripple effect will inform and demonstrate the significance of Project OK, to those both directly and indirectly connected to those experiencing, and/or taking part.
Artistic Director - Kate Taylor
Producer - Kirsten Tranter
Venue: St James Church, Southam
Event: Project OK social
Photos: Offshoots photography
Support
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I’ve connected with Kate’s artistic and dance work over many years. I’m delighted to endorse her latest project ‘OK’, and her leadership of dance activity in the Midlands. The geographic, socio-economic barriers taken with widespread lack of cultural provision, means there are just too few opportunities for young people to be ‘Creative People’; to connect with and engage in dance activity, and be able to access local ‘Cultural Communities. In Southam and Nuneaton this is a barrier to dance participation for local communities. I’m delighted that Project ‘OK’ seeks to address these gaps through the submission and will support the development of Creative People and Cultural Communities.
Oliver Scott Creative Director of Mercurial Dance & Founder of Mercurial Arts Charity
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The project looks to offer ample opportunity to collaborate with other local businesses and pop-up shops, therefore offering support and strong business relationships. It would bring visibility to both Southam & Nuneaton, making them a place of interest to the wider community and bring footfall into the area, which in return would support the towns economy and growth.
Larissa Redman-Windsor Director – Southam Business Community CIC
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As a member of Parliament for Kenilworth & Southam, a rural constituency, I am keenly aware of the need for this kind of investment. It is crucial that those who do not live in urban areas are still able to access these opportunities.
RT Hon Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP
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I strongly advocate for Kate’s proposal to establish an inclusive dance company for young people in Southam and surrounding areas in the West Midlands. This project will help to elevate and champion youth opportunities in rural areas that often miss out on accessing inclusive dance related workshops and events.
Lexy Garner Dance Practitioner/Young Ambassador/Teacher
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The ambition behind the project is a sustainable and long term one. Southam a cultural hub, alongside working closely with Nuneaton and finding ways to connect both areas through conversation and shared practice. The wider community will benefit massively from a large engagement programme, cultural activity to watch and an ongoing infrastructure I find this very exciting.
Andy Crump WCC Councillor
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For me, ‘I am OK’ is the kind of original work I long to see on a stage. Work that talks about the human experience, and puts dance at the heart of it, yet let's words illuminate as well. Kate is one of the most brilliant performers I have met in recent years. She is both funny and honest and moving - and simply a joy to watch.She is also unafraid to take risk. She is talking about being a mother, dealing with domesticity, drowning in it, laughing about it, and emerging stronger from it...
Sally Marie Director Sweet Shop Revolution
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We believe that the children will be provided with a most unique opportunity to have professional dance artists resident at the school for a substantial amount of time. This is something in my 13 years of teaching I have not seen offered to a school. This invested time will have long term impact on the health and well-being of all of our pupils and the children will be working with neurodiverse dance artists who will act as strong role models for all children regardless of their background. We firmly believe that this opportunity will build positive foundations with regards to the impact of arts and its place in society and the children will be made aware of how important arts is in their wider world.
Emma Longworth Head Teacher Southam Primary
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Many of our students have faced significant challenges regarding mental health, especially since the pandemic and the lack of resources and support has only exacerbated their struggles. Not only will Project OK provide an exciting practical performance opportunity to our students, many of which come from deprived backgrounds, it has been designed to address these issues and offer support through an artistic outlet. Engaging in such projects can be a transformative experience, not only improving their mental well-being but also raising their aspirations and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.
James Stanley Learning & Skills Manager – Creative Industries North Warwickshire & Soutb Leicester College/Nuneaton
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St James church building is a great flexible space for the creative arts and performance and this unique opportunity to have professional dance artists resident at the church for a substantial amount of time, opens up further partnerships with community groups/businesses. It raises the profile within the community of the huge benefits of creative arts in the area of healthy well-being through expression.
Rev Vikki Bisiker St James Church
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One of our dance artists from Birmingham, Kate Taylor has talked to us about partnering with a new project called Project OK. The focus and themes such as mental health and wellbeing, and how the power of movement, and freedom of expression can have a positive impact are very much in line with our ethos and practise. During these difficult times where the climate is generally hostile to LGBTQI people, especially towards the trans plus community and towards immigration, the project will give our members the opportunity to embody feelings which will bring about release, reassurance and strength through an artistic and expressive outlet.
Jill Power Director Social and Economic Inclusion - Micro Rainbow
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The creative work Kate is planning will add enormous value to The Creative Explorers Programme running across Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. It will engage and inspire young people with interest in dance and performance whose work is relatively hidden with much current activity happening in the commercial dance sector.
Jane Hytch CEO Imagineer Productions
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Our group is aimed at children under 5 years old or those who cannot/don’t access education at a KS1 level (e.g. Home educated or those with SEN who do not yet have a suitable place at a school) and their parents or guardians. Our group is aimed primarily at those with additional needs but all arewelcome. After experiencing the benefit of Kate’s work during a taster session, we found that there was a real positive impact on the families attending our group. These Movement sessions are invaluable to the children to build their confidence, get them moving, improve communication and for everyone to feel included no matter what their ability. Parents are also included and can have some real quality time with their children.
Emma Robert’s-Davies Footprints
