A DANCE organisation which has operated in the city for 20 years has had to cancel classes for its new term after failing to secure funding which would allow them to get a permanent base.

Dance House Glasgow said they will not be programming public classes in the new term, which starts next month.

The decision comes after Creative Scotland recently decided not to include Dance House as part of its regular funded network of organisations, which provides vital three-year funding for their operation and activities.

The dance school also said that they are one of the only of its kind in the UK which does not have a permanent base and plans were in place to secure that.

But now they have confirmed the development will not go ahead.

Ailsa Mary Gold, Artistic Director and CEO of Dance House Glasgow, said: "Creative Scotland recently decided not to include Dance House Glasgow as part of its regular funded network of organisations, which provides art vital three-year funding for their operation and activities.

"Dance House Glasgow is the only organisation of its kind in the UK that does not operate from its own studio base.

"For the past decade, we have been working with partners Y Dance, Independ-dance, Aerial Edge and Surge towards the development and opening of a world class facility for the development of street theatre, circus and dance in Glasgow, led by WASPS.

"The Briggait Creation Centre was set to act as a hothouse for talent development, collaboration and cross artform working for community participants and established international artists alike. The realisation of the centre would have provided a home for our activities and facilitated the expansion of our creative learning work as well as providing a dedicated hub for our professional programme and unique collaborative opportunities, alongside our partners.

"Crucially it was also to offer one of the few fully accessible and purpose built spaces for community participants and professional artists with physical disabilities allowing us bring inclusive arts activity to an even wider audience."

She added: "For reasons entirely beyond our control, this development is no longer going ahead which leaves us without a home and this is the primary reason why our public classes will not go ahead for the foreseeable future."

Dance House Glasgow said they are working with a Board of Trustees and other funders to establish a way forward, and this includes an ongoing dialogue with Creative Scotland about alternative funding possibilities.

You can donate to Dance House Glasgow through their website.

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