The Lab
The Lab is a place to develop your creative practice, try new ideas, learn from others and connect with artists and people working across the dance sector.
It is also a developing creative community, a space to meet other artists, share practice and build connections over time.
The Lab’s core programme is creatively led by dance artist Sarah Blanc.
What happens in The Lab?
Core programme
The regular programme includes:
- Online sessions – monthly UK-wide sessions from September to June, led by artists, creatives and sector professionals. Explore artistic practice, hear from other artists and gain practical insight into working in dance.
- Open Studio – monthly facilitated studio sessions from September to June, giving artists space to develop their own creative ideas alongside others. Open Studios currently take place in London.
- One-day Intensives – creative workshops led by invited artists and choreographers.
Special projects and opportunities
Throughout the year, The Lab will also include other artist development activity, such as workshops, creative projects and opportunities developed across Candoco.
Who is The Lab for?
The Lab is for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent dance artists aged 18 and over.
You might be a dancer, performer, maker or choreographer, or describe your practice in another way.
You do not need to have followed a particular training route or career pathway.
How to take part
There are two ways to take part in The Lab.
Become a member
Membership costs £5 a month (£60 a year)* and is the best-value way to take part regularly in The Lab. Your £5 monthly membership fee is reinvested directly into The Lab, supporting the programme and its creative community.
Membership includes:
- Free access to regular online sessions.
- Free access to Open Studio.
- 50% discounts on The Lab Intensives and other selected workshops (see below).
- Discounts on Candoco Teacher Training.
- The Lab newsletter including creative resources, programme news and artist opportunities.
- Connection with The Lab creative community.
- Opportunities to help shape the programme as it develops.
You will still need to book individual sessions. Places for some in-person activities are limited.
Or book individual activities
You do not need to be a member to take part.
You can book many Lab activities individually and pay as you go.
Standard prices:
Online session — £8
Open Studio — £15
One-day Intensive — £60
Prices for additional workshops and activities will be shown with each event.
*Membership costs £5 a month (£60 a year). If you took part in all of our regular September–June programme, including two Intensives, you would pay around £120 as a member compared with £350 when booking individually — a saving of £230.
Explore the Autumn programme and choose what works for you.
Dates for your diary
Motion Shorts Workshop
Monday 19 & Tuesday 20 October – Motion Shorts Workshop at Longfield Hall, London
Online Sessions
Tuesday 13 October – From Practice to Presence: Defining who you are as an artist and how the world sees you with Kate Scanlan
Tuesday 17 November – Creative Practice: Explore with Sarah Blanc
Tuesday 8 December – Working Your Way: Neurodiversity, Self-Support & Goals for 2027 with Emma Wee
Open Studios
Saturday 10 October – Open Studio with Sarah Blanc at Mountview
Saturday 7 November – Open Studio with Sarah Blanc at Mountview
Saturday 5 December – Open Studio with Sarah Blanc at Mountview
Intensives
Saturday 28 November – One-day Creative Intensive with Annie Hanauer at Mountview
Saturday 13 March – One-day Moxie Brawl Creative Intensive with Sarah Blanc at Mountview
Teacher Training
Saturday 28 November – 1-Day Inclusive Teacher Training at Mountview
Saturday 20 February – 1-Day Inclusive Teacher Training at Mountview
The Lab
The Lab: Open Studio
From Practice to Presence with Kate Scanlan
Motion Shorts Workshop
