Blank Space

Blank Space is an invitation to all Midlands-based dance practitioners/artists to use our studio spaces in Birmingham and Nottingham free of charge.

What is Blank Space?

Blank Space is a FREE space offer to support professional artists and their work.

Birmingham – Mondays & Fridays, 12:30pm & Tuesdays, 2:30pm

Nottingham – Mondays, 9am & 12:30pm and Fridays, 11:30am & 2:30pm

Who can use Blank Space?

Blank Space is available to those that fit the following criteria:

You’re an independent artist/practitioner (not a National Portfolio Organisation) working in dance, movement or choreography
You are based in (and currently living in) the Midlands
You are aged 18 or over.

What is available?

2 & half-hour session
Amplified sound
Access to the Changing Room & Showers
WiFi

More information about our studios can be found here

What is NOT available?

Storage space for technical equipment/props etc.
Use of any technical equipment/resources (although hires can be arranged)
Use of set, props and materials that require cleaning after use of the space.

We ask that everyone who uses this space leaves it as they find it and vacate it at end of their booked slot as other artists might use it after them.

Using the studio

What can the space be used for?

Use of Blank Space can be for, but is not limited to: rehearsals or practice; dance research; devising a dance workshop; preparing for an audition. You have access to the studio and the equipment in the studio which includes amplified sound and WiFi. Please manage your time and leave the space at the end of your booked session. We also ask as part of using Blank Space to leave the space as you found it, ready for others to use the space as needed.

What can the space NOT be used for?

It cannot be used for a class, workshop, or training; commercial/paid activity; anything advertised to the public; anything with non-professional attendees; anything that invites an audience; groups over 6 people. You will not have access to any additional furnture or equipment from outside the studio space and will not be able to utilise the changing rooms.

Studio users must not wear outdoor shoes, stiletto shoes or black-soled trainers in order to prevent damage to the studio floor.

If you have any questions please contact a member of staff.

Access

If you have any access requirements that you would like additional support with, please get in contact and we will discuss how to best accommodate your needs.

Studio Access information

Fair Use Policy & Booking

We deem fair use for Blank Space as an allowance which amounts to approximately 10 full days per artist over a 12-month period. This availability is comparable to the duration of current FABRIC residencies and valued at £1000 based on our artist rate.

We request each artist to limit use of this offer to 3 Blank Space sessions per month. Each session does not exceed 2.5 hours and the full session must be used.

You can still request space if you have already had 3 sessions in a month, but additional bookings will only be considered if there are no other eligible artists requesting that space and if you have used less than 10 full days between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

With this approach to fair use, we anticipate that at least 130 artists will access Blank Space by March 2025.

Cancellations and No-Shows

This is an opportunity available for everyone, so please only book the space you can commit to at the time of booking.

If you need to cancel, please call as soon as you are able to let us know so that it can be made available to others – 0121 667 6730 (Birmingham) / 0115 924 2016 (Nottingham), or email info@fabric.dance

PLEASE NOTE: In the case that you turn up 15 minutes late, your booking will be released. If you do not turn up to a booking or will not use the space for the full duration of the booking more than 3 times with no notification, you will no longer be able to access this opportunity