The Point Selects New-For-2018 @HOME Artists Launching Exciting Chapter For The Venue

Today The Point, Eastleigh announces its cohort of @HOME artists, as part of a new-for-
2018 initiative launching in April.

@HOME will see five established companies work closely with The Point between 2018 and 2022. The scheme, developed by Artistic Director Sacha Lee, reinvents the approach often taken towards forging a sustainable relationship between artist and venue, allowing artistic freedom and encouraging a two-way, equal dynamic.

"I'm hugely excited to be inviting the @HOME artists to have a stake in the artistic and
engagement programming at The Point. I want to open our doors and start to democratise our approach. In my experience, artists are the best and most positive problem solvers; together we will grow our creative brain in the quest to bring audiences and artists closer together, as well as offering much needed support to artists who are at a tipping point in their careers." - Sacha Lee, Artistic Director

As an @HOME artist, the companies involved will have a hand in curating key elements of the programme at The Point, and be invited to attend creative meetings in a move to
reimagine the way in which venues work with artists. The Point will work closely with the five companies to present an array of interactive and accessible arts events for the local community and national audiences, as well as supporting the continued development of the selected artists.

The Point is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation and a regional powerhouse for contemporary performance. The venue has a trail-blazing Associate and Supported Artist Scheme, and an on-site Creation Space with attached accommodation, offering artists in-residence 24-hour access. Launched in 2009, the space was the first of its kind in the UK and continues to attract artists from around the world.

The @HOME artists for 2018-2022 are:
Theatre Re is an international ensemble creating vibrant work on the cutting edge of mime and theatre. Currently an Associate Artist at The Point, the company is embarking on an international tour of the critically-acclaimed The Nature of Forgetting, and developing new production Birth. Artistic Director Guillaume Pige said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the @Home scheme, not only because the past two years as Associate Artists at The Point have been an incredibly enriching experience on all fronts, but also because as a company we feel that have reached a point where we cannot progress any further if we don't transform the way we operate. The next four years will be a moment of transformation and growth and the @Home scheme is a great way to help us achieve this artistic and strategic transformation successfully."

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company are one of the country's leading production companies of family theatre, and in 2017 engaged more than 40,000 people. Led by Artistic Director Niki McCretton, the company has been in operation for more than 10 years.

As an @HOME artist Stuff and Nonsense will strive to reach an international audience,
alongside outreach work and programming agendas.

Gravity & Levity are an aerial dance company that creates cross art form touring
productions, led by Artistic Director Lindsey Butcher. With a portfolio of eight productions - spanning indoor and outdoor work - and two festivals, the company has formed an on-going partnership with The Point.

In August 2018 the company, in association with The Point, presents the 9th annual European Aerial Dance Festival, which welcomes participants from around the world to
undertake intensive aerial training courses.

Joli Vyann was created in 2012. Led by Olivia Quayle and Jan Patzke, the duo combines their experiences of working internationally across circus and dance to create cross-discipline work, blurring the boundaries of conventional dance, theatre and circus.

Together, Olivia and Jan tell engaging stories via beguiling acrobatic and athletic skills and graceful dance. While part of the @HOME scheme the company plans to develop and tour two new shows.

Lîla Dance is directed by Abi Mortimer, Carrie Whitaker and Dougie Evans. The company has a nationally-recognised portfolio of work and is currently an Associate Company at The University of Chichester.

Lîla Dance works closely with emerging artists and graduates, leading workshops and professional training opportunities annually.

Co-Artistic Director Abi Mortimer said: "After building a meaningful relationship with The Point over years of both performing and sharing our knowledge through leading classes and teaching, becoming an @Home company really does feel like we have come home."

The @HOME scheme forms part of The Point's development plan as an ACE NPO. Arts
Council England Area Director for the South West Phil Gibby said: "The relationship between artists and venues is a vital one and nurturing a healthy and reciprocal connection between the two is fundamental to the arts and culture ecology. So we're delighted to be supporting The Point through our 2018-22 National Portfolio to create genuinely complementary connections that break down the barriers between artist and venue through their @HOME artist's programme."

The Point is dedicated to supporting the next generation of talent, reinventing itself as a regional arts venue in what it can offer graduates, teachers and choreographers. The venue works annually with established artists such as Hofesh Shechter and Jasmin Vardimon to offer professional development days that are both affordable and accessible.

@HOME artists will work closely with The Point and Artistic Director Sacha Lee to conceive and present new interactive events. Ideas include magician training for young people; intensive corporeal mime workshops; Christmas shows for families; a puppetry festival and new touring productions across circus, theatre, contemporary dance and corporeal mime.

The @HOME scheme reimagines the conventional collaboration between an artist and a venue, allowing both parties to receive vital support, led by two core shared interests; creative expansion and audience engagement.

To find out more visit www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk.

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