We were delighted to receive the news this morning that Arts Council England have awarded Phoenix Dance Theatre National Portfolio Organisation status for the next three years. Our position as an NPO is key to our ability to deliver world-class contemporary dance for audiences worldwide as well as opportunities for professional and emerging artists, children, and young people.

I had the honour of taking on the role of CEO of Phoenix last year. I joined the company at a pivotal moment, as we celebrated 40 incredible years and looked to what the next forty have in store. Following the end of our 40^th anniversary tour earlier this year we entered a period of strategic reflection, where, alongside our ongoing education work, we have undertaken a thorough stakeholder engagement research project and begun detailed forward planning. It has been fascinating to hear from such a wide range of people – from audience members to funders, from Academy students to sector colleagues – as to why they love Phoenix and what they would like to see from us in the future.

Phoenix is beloved by so many people across Leeds and beyond because of the amazing impact it has achieved, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure we have the vision, focus, resources and resilience to deliver another incredible 40 years of dance. This would not be possible without the ongoing support of Arts Council England. Their support from the company’s earliest days has been vital to our development. It is also important that such an investment has been made in the city for the opportunities that offers for local people.

As a National Portfolio Organisation, we are committed to supporting Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy and we look forward to continuing to play our part in creating a country that is transformed by culture. The next few years will undoubtedly be challenging, with political uncertainty, a cost-of-living crisis, an escalating climate emergency and war in Europe, but with Art Council England’s support we will be able to respond to these challenges and support our audiences and communities to respond to them as well. We are aware that many in the sector are not in the same position and have received difficult news this morning. We are committed to offering what support we can to those organisations in the coming years. We are all made stronger by working together.

Over the coming weeks we will be finalising our forward strategy ready to launch in the new year. As the company has done throughout its history, we will be pushing boundaries and bringing exciting new work to the stage and screen. We will also be creating opportunities for people to engage with and be inspired by dance who otherwise might never get the chance. We can’t wait to share our plans with you.

Jennifer Coleman-Peers

Chief Executive