We are delighted to announce that NSCD graduate Duja Sinada is this year's selected CATAPULT artist 2020/21.
CATAPULT is our year-long artist development programme for an emerging dance maker, creative partnership or collective based or working in Yorkshire.
As this year's artist Duja receives a £3,000 development fund, access to rehearsal space, bespoke mentoring, tailored business advice from Spin Arts and the chance to stage new work at Riley Theatre.
On receiving the award, Duja said,
"I am so very grateful to be awarded this year's CATAPULT. I want to produce work that is both educational and celebratory, learning untold stories and unlearning societal stereotypes. As much as I am excited to have a finished piece of work to showcase, the process is probably the most important aspect of it all. I look forward to working with women of colour to create more representation and opportunities within contemporary dance."
With the CATAPULT award Duja hopes to create an all-black female piece celebrating different cultures, taking inspiration from traditional costume and aesthetics. She has previously worked with Boy Blue Entertainment, Avant Garde Dance and performed at Sadler's Wells' Breakin' Convention.
Sharon Watson, CEO and Principal of NSCD, said:
“I am looking forward to starting the journey with Duja as she explores her work and challenges the status quo. We are finally seeing an emergence of prominent Black and Asian creatives challenging UK dance and theatre. Duja presented her work as someone who is pushing our perspectives and awakening our minds. CATAPULT offers artists a platform which enables impact and embraces more growth and representation within UK dance in all its forms from Classical to Hip Hop.“
Sarah Shead, Director and Creative Producer of Spin Arts, commented:
“I’m beyond excited to start working with Duja via CATAPULT. She’s proposed an important and inspiring artistic idea that is relevant in today’s world. I’m confident that together we can develop something that progresses her artistic practice and engages diverse communities. Now is the time for her to step into her power.”
Duja Sinada is the sixth artist to benefit from the programme; previous recipients include Gracefool Collective, Akeim Toussaint Buck and Carlos Pons Guerra.
CATAPULT is delivered in partnership with Spin Arts and made possible using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
