London Youth Dance, a project based at Sadler's Wells, works to support and develop youth dance activity within London working alongside Connect, londondance.com and in close partnership with Youth Dance England and key regional dance development agencies.

Our work contributes to both government targets of delivering 5 hours of physical activity and 5 hours of cultural activity per week to all young people. Dance is the second most popular physical activity to football and particularly attractive to girls and young women who can be resistant to participating in sport. It is also a powerful art form for young people who find it a potent medium for artistic expression and defining cultural identity.

2009 sees the fourth year of London Youth Dance's existence with funding secured through to 2011 and a clear vision for the next two years. Go to www.londondance.com/youthdance to find out more about our achievements so far, our plans for the future and the impact we hope to make.

Find out more about our signature projects using the index on the left hand side.

"Sadler's Wells presents and produces work from dance artists at the top of their creative abilities. We are, however, also interested in where young people start there creative journey, how they first came across dance and how their talents are developed and nurtured. The work of London youth Dance and the Connect team are all related to that aim of providing the opportunities for young people to access high quality dance experiences that may one day lead them to watching, making or performing work here at Sadler's Wells."
Alistair Spalding
Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Sadler's Wells

"London Youth Dance's plans for youth dance development across London are key to the Big Dance programme to 2012 and align with the priorities set out in the Mayor's Cultural Strategy."
Jacqueline Rose
Big Dance Director