Dance Base Information

Dance Base is Scotland’s National Centre for Dance. As a creative charity we want to see people across Scotland engaging in dance as an art form, a way to exercise and a way of life. We support Scottish dance artists to develop successful careers and we develop opportunities for dance to be used to support people’s health and wellbeing. We are international in outlook, ensuring that dance in Scotland is globally connected. Dance Base has been active as an independent company promoting and delivering dance activity in the city of Edinburgh since 1994. The company undertook a major development with the move into new, purpose-built premises in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town in June 2001. Scotland's new National Centre for Dance, was officially opened by our Royal Patron, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay KT, KG on 21st September 2001. A month later our Artistic Patron, the internationally renowned choreographer Mark Morris, celebrated with Dance Base by creating and dedicating a new work performed by his company at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Located in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh, the £6.4m centre caters for dancers of all ages and abilities, providing an accessible programme of activities that offers a diverse public a non-competitive, sociable and enjoyable way to keep physically fit and develop new creative skills. Our four world-class studios provide dancers with excellent facilities and an inspirational environment in which to dance. This has all been made possible due to £5.4m funding through the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund awarded in March 1998. Other major funders of the project include the City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and Scottish & Newcastle.