Nurturing the Future of Bharatanatyam
At the heart of Seeta Patel Dance is a commitment to continuous learning and artistic growth. SPD believes in investing in the next generation of Bharatanatyam dancers and choreographers, ensuring they have the skills, experience, and opportunities to thrive in the professional dance industry.
Recognising the underrepresentation of South Asian artists in British dance, SPD is actively addressing the gap in pathways for Bharatanatyam artists, particularly beyond the age of 16, where opportunities significantly decline. The SPD Talent Development Programme is designed to provide structured, high-quality professional learning, bridging this gap and cultivating a new wave of talent that will contribute to both Bharatanatyam and the wider contemporary dance scene.
About the Talent Development Programme
Now in its fourth year, SPD’s Talent Development Programme nurtures early-career Bharatanatyam dancers and choreographers, with a particular focus on ensemble work and choreographic innovation. The programme takes place over two residency weeks and offers a rich combination of mentorship, financial support, studio time, and professional development, enabling artists to refine their craft and build sustainable careers.
A first-of-its-kind initiative, the Talent Development Programme supports emerging choreographers in exploring ensemble work and developing thought-provoking, boundary-pushing creations. Building on SPD’s legacy of groundbreaking ensemble productions including the Olivier-nominated The Rite of Spring – this year Seeta Patel Dance will mentor five early-career choreographers to delve deeply into movement, collaboration, and original ensemble work.
A note from the Artist Director – Seeta Patel:
“As a new National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England, we are thrilled to offer more meaningful and resourced support for Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographers. Having faced many challenges myself as a South-Asian artist trying to make work, I hope SPD can provide encouragement, guidance, and the space to experiment. In a shifting arts landscape, creating visibility for talented emerging artists requires both resources and a willingness to challenge existing structures.”
01 | Mentorship & Coaching
Personalised Guidance: Each participant receives one-on-one mentoring with Seeta Patel, tailored to their artistic ambitions and career goals. Between the two residency weeks and a workshop weekend, mentees will have three 1:1 mentorship sessions with Seeta and/or other members of the SPD professional artist network.
Group Coaching: Collaborative sessions foster a shared learning environment, encouraging mentees to exchange ideas and strengthen their choreographic skills. There will also be industry knowledge workshops where topics may include:
- Building a sustainable dance career
- Touring and working internationally
- Producing and project management
- Funding and applications
- Portfolio and CV development
Life Coaching: SPD partners with professional coaches to support the holistic development of artists, ensuring their well-being and career sustainability. Mentorship is framed as a long-term journey, complementing mentees’ ongoing training and creative practice.
02 | Creative Time & Creative Resources
Paid Creative Time: Each mentee is granted two residential weeks plus one weekend of paid collaborative time, allowing them to experiment and develop their creative work without financial barriers.
Collaborative Practice: Participants serve as artistic resources for each other, cultivating an environment where peer feedback and experimentation are encouraged. Each day of the residency is led by a mentee, with tasks guided by Seeta to explore specific areas of choreographic practice.
03 | Financial & Logistical Support
Paid Participation: Mentees will be paid for Residency Weeks and the workshop weekend. SPD believes artists should be adequately compensated for their time, commitment, and artistic labour.
Travel & Accommodation: SPD covers travel, accommodation, and food expenses when mentees must work away from their home base, ensuring accessibility for artists from different regions.
Evaluation & Documentation: Professional video highlights of residency studio days are provided to support ongoing creative development.
04 | Long-Term Development & Industry Exposure
Sustained Mentorship: Mentorship continues beyond the formal residency period, with points of interaction with Legacy Mentees from previous cohorts.
Performance & Showcasing: Mentees can share their work at informal showcases and celebration events. Feedback is constructive and developmental, with no public-facing requirement.
Career Progression: SPD actively seeks ways to integrate mentees into professional productions, collaborations, and commissions, supporting clear pathways into employment and artistic recognition.
05 | Programme Schedule
- September 7–18: Welcome & onboarding plus one-on-one preparation sessions with Seeta Patel and Aishani Ghosh and a contracting session with the Exec Director.
- September 21–26: Residency Week 1; form-driven creative tasks led by mentees, with practical exploration of choreography, music, and storytelling.
- September 28–October 16: Mentorship period; 1:1 sessions and industry knowledge workshops
- October 10–11: Workshops weekend
- October 19–24: Residency Week 2.
- November 14: Celebration / sharing event.
- October 26 – Dec: Evaluation and closing – remote session to reflect and wrap up.
Note: Dates are final; participation requires full commitment.
06 | Programme Structure & Methodology
- Five main mentee spaces (one may be reserved for a Legacy Mentee from the 2023, 2024, or 2025 cohorts).
- Four Observer spots for promising applicants who did not get selected for the main cohort; unpaid, with costs covered for students/freelancers.
- Focus on Bharatanatyam ensemble work, technical skills, choreography, group work, music work, conceptualising, and storyboarding.
- Evenings include dance-based discussions, shared meals, and social interaction.
- Mentees leave with a tangible toolkit for their ongoing choreographic practice.
07 | Who is This Programme For?
- Early-stage choreographers and dance practitioners of Bharatanatyam with 5+ years of stage experience.
- Artists seeking to explore movement creation within Bharatanatyam ensemble formats or develop a stage idea.
- Full-time artists or freelance professionals looking to enrich their artistic practice.
- Individuals able to commit to all programme dates.
- Participants in full-time education or employment; programme is unpaid (travel and accommodation covered).
- Over 18 years of age.
- Residents of the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands).
Note: SPD cannot support artists outside these regions
08 | Application
To apply, complete the Expression of Interest form via SPD’s website (application form and deadline will be posted in Spring 2026).
Form requests:
- Introduction to your creative practice.
- Challenges faced in your career as a dancer-choreographer.
- Aspirations and what is missing from your current journey.
Selection
Mentees are selected by Seeta Patel and the SPD team based on clarity of thought, enquiry, and articulation of programme goals.
Key dates:
To be announced soon.
SPD commits to diversity and inclusivity; one mentoring spot reserved for an artist from a systemically marginalised group (e.g., artists with disabilities, global majority, LGBTQIA+).
09 | Access Requirements
SPD is committed to openness, inclusion, and diversity. Contact the team if you encounter any issues with the form or have specific requirements. Larger-print and audio-descriptive versions are available online.
10 | Contact
Email: Aishani Ghosh – aishani@seetapateldance.org
Info Sessions: Dates to be announced, please sign-up via email.
11 | FAQs
Programme scope: Primarily for Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographers, though multi-style (must include Bharatanatyam) artists can apply.
Public outcomes: Residency is closed and safe; optional sharing permitted with credit.
Age: 18+
Residency: UK & Crown Dependencies only.
Access queries: Contact SPD for support.
As SPD continues to grow, the Talent Development Programme will expand, providing even more opportunities for South Asian dancers and choreographers to develop their artistry at the highest level. SPD remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive, sustainable, and world-class professional environment for Bharatanatyam within the UK and beyond.
Through this initiative, SPD is building a legacy of artistic excellence, ensuring that the rich traditions of Bharatanatyam evolve and thrive within the global dance landscape.
For more information on the SPD Talent Development Programme, contact admin@seetapateldance.org
