ABOUT US
|
INSIGHTS PLATFORMS is a performing arts platform, that was launched in 2009 by Jai Hutchison with an initial aim to support and provide opportunities for graduates within the performing arts. The main focus of Insights Platforms was to provide performance and teaching opportunities for graduates, and therefore supporting them not to become disengaged from their practice. The first platform was held at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Due to its success, Insights Platforms continued to produce the work of emerging artists at platforms across the UK at arts festivals and independent platforms in Edinburgh, London, Newcastle, Leeds and Aberdeen, as well as providing teaching opportunities for graduates within higher education.
The future for Insights Platforms is changing. We have now developed to create platforms that are accessible to more artists and welcome applications from all emerging performing artists over the age of 17 years old from anywhere in the world; not just graduates. We aim to support a variety of artists across theatre, dance, spoken word, performance art, physical theatre, and more; in the past projects have really varied with some being collaborative works of different art forms. Do keep an eye on our CURRENT PROJECTS to see what's happening and how you can get involved. |
THE TEAM
Jai Hutchison: cREATIVE Director and Founder
Jai began training in Contemporary Dance Performance at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in 2004. It was throughout her training at SSCD that she developed her passion for choreography, and so relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne to study a BA (Hons) in Dance: Choreography at Northumbria University. On graduating, Jai relocated back to Scotland and became involved within community dance with a strong aim of promoting dance in schools and throughout different communities,
In 2009 Jai set up 'Insights Platforms' with the aim of providing opportunities for graduates within the performing arts to present their work around the U.K., but also as a way to ensure that graduates did not become disengaged from their practice. The pilot run at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was a success, and was filled predominantly with local dance artists, however Insights Platforms now recieves proposals from international artists across a variety of arts practices. With a strong interest in community arts, Jai completed an MA in Community Dance Leadership at The University of Bedfordshire in 2013 and upon graduating was based in London working predominately in inclusive dance. She has since relocated to Edinburgh, and is about to complete an MA in Arts, Festival and Cultural Management at Queen Margaret University. KAREN MCARTHUR: ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR |
Karen began her training in 2004 at Edinburgh's Telford College where she trained as a dance artist. She then went on to continue her training at Northumbria University in Newcastle where she completed her BA (Hons) in Dance.
After graduating, Karen joined Tees Valley Dance Company based in Stockton on Tees as an apprentice dancer and taught contemporary classes in Newcastle. Karen then relocated back to Edinburgh to pursue her passion for choreography and teaching which led on to residencies at Dance Base and teaching at The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee, Dance for All in Stockbridge and Edinburgh College.
Karen is currently based in Edinburgh where she is working as a freelance dancer artist and choreographer. She specialises in contact improvisation and teaches in the community and in higher education.
Karen is also a professional swimming teacher and fitness instructor, she has been teaching in Scotland for the last 10 years and is currently working towards becoming a yoga instructor. Health and wellbeing is very important to Karen and she believes it should be a part of everybody's lives.
Karen joined the Insights Platforms team in 2013 as our Assistant Creative Director.
After graduating, Karen joined Tees Valley Dance Company based in Stockton on Tees as an apprentice dancer and taught contemporary classes in Newcastle. Karen then relocated back to Edinburgh to pursue her passion for choreography and teaching which led on to residencies at Dance Base and teaching at The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee, Dance for All in Stockbridge and Edinburgh College.
Karen is currently based in Edinburgh where she is working as a freelance dancer artist and choreographer. She specialises in contact improvisation and teaches in the community and in higher education.
Karen is also a professional swimming teacher and fitness instructor, she has been teaching in Scotland for the last 10 years and is currently working towards becoming a yoga instructor. Health and wellbeing is very important to Karen and she believes it should be a part of everybody's lives.
Karen joined the Insights Platforms team in 2013 as our Assistant Creative Director.