Our Impact.
Since TeesDance was incorporated in 2021, we have grown from a single programme to a registered charity working across all five Tees Valley boroughs — funded nationally, rooted locally.
£550k+
invested in Tees Valley communities through grant funding.
£207k
unlocked for artists & companies through match funding support.
20,000+
people reached since 2021.
120+
local freelance artist worked with.
Why dance belongs in the Tees Valley.
We're not just delivering sessions. We're building the dance infrastructure that the Tees Valley has always deserved — creating lasting opportunities to take part, progress and build careers in dance, close to home.
Registered Charity 1214634 · Company No. 13618748
The change we’re working towards.
Everything we do is designed to create lasting change — not just activity.
Our work creates four interconnected outcomes for people across the Tees Valley:
More people who face barriers can experience high-quality dance locally.
People feel more socially connected and less isolated.
People experience real, measurable improvements in how they feel about themselves.
More young people and artists can develop, progress and build futures in dance without having to leave.
We measure success by the difference our work makes to people's lives — not the number of activities we deliver.
Dance as a question of equity.
The Tees Valley is one of England's designated Levelling Up for Culture Places — an area identified as historically underserved by arts and cultural investment. The talent, creativity and appetite for dance exist here. What was missing was the infrastructure to connect it.
When TeesDance was founded in 2021, the region had no dedicated dance development organisation, no shared progression routes from first class to creative career, and limited paid work for local artists. Dance was fragmented, short-term, and out of reach for too many people.
We exist to change that — permanently.
Our ambition is a Tees Valley where artists can build careers without leaving, communities can access dance close to home, and young people no longer have to look elsewhere to see what's possible for them.
What we’ve built since 2021.
In the last five years, TeesDance has grown from a founding idea into a registered charity with national funding, a seven-programme portfolio, and partnerships across all five Tees Valley boroughs. Here's the journey so far.
The change we’ve built.
“I’m from Middlesbrough and I grew up in Coulby Newham. I’m a professional dancer, but I’ve been working in London and internationally. I’ve always had this idea that I couldn’t do professional dance work in Middlesbrough there’s not enough to kind of sustain a career in it. But if there’s more people starting their own projects and a hub for dance and the community, then it would be amazing to be able to have my career based where I live.”
- Professional dancer on our HOME project.
Investment and leverage.
Over £550,000 has been invested in Tees Valley communities through grant funding secured by TeesDance — from Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Sport England, Creative Darlington, Middlesbrough Borough Council and the Woodsmith Foundation.
Beyond our own programmes, we have unlocked a further £207,048 for local artists and companies through match funding support and partnership brokering — because a stronger local dance ecology means backing the artists who build it.
Partners and funders.
How we hold ourselves accountable.
Each year we ask:
Are we reaching people with the fewest opportunities?
Is our work improving wellbeing, confidence and belonging?
Are young people and artists able to progress because of what we do?
Are communities genuinely helping to shape what happens?
We report on participant wellbeing, confidence and belonging; artist and progression opportunities; case studies and partner feedback; and the learning that shapes what we do next.
Our annual review is published on this page each year.
“Whether it’s a child finding their confidence, or a whole community reclaiming joy and connection — dance becomes the spark for something much bigger.”
— Trustee
Ready to invest in dance for the Tees Valley?
Whether you're a funder, a potential partner, or someone who simply believes the North deserves world-class dance — there's a place for you in what we're building.
Fund our work.
We're actively seeking investment partners who share our vision for place-based dance infrastructure across the Tees Valley. Get in touch to find out about current funding opportunities and partnership models.
Join a programme.
From free family sessions to professional development for artists — there's something for everyone. Find the right programme for you.
Support TeesDance.
From free family sessions to professional development for artists — there's something for everyone. Find the right programme for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or drop us an email for more information.
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TeesDance is a registered charity (1214634) building place-based dance infrastructure across the Tees Valley, including Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington and Hartlepool. Founded in 2021, it creates opportunities to experience, create and progress in dance for communities across all five Tees Valley boroughs.
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Over £550,000 has been invested in Tees Valley communities through grant funding secured by TeesDance since its founding in 2021, with a further £207,048 unlocked for local artists and companies through match funding support.
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TeesDance is funded by Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Sport England, Creative Darlington, Middlesbrough Borough Council and the Woodsmith Foundation, and works in partnership with all five Tees Valley local authorities.
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TeesDance runs seven programmes across the Tees Valley: MoveAlways™ (free dance for over-50s), MoveBaby™ (free baby dance classes), MoveRise™ (dance for care-experienced young people), MoveTogether™ (free family dance), TeesDance Youth Dance Company™ (for ages 11–19), TeesDance Summer School™ (annual intensive), and MoveAhead™ (professional dance commissions).
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TeesDance supports local artists through paid commissions via MoveAhead, match funding support (£207,048 unlocked to date), programme delivery roles, and by building the local dance ecology across the Tees Valley. Over 120 local freelance artists have worked with TeesDance since 2021.
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Yes. TeesDance is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1214634, Company No. 13618748), having achieved registered charity status in August 2025.