East London Dance

What East London Dance does

East London Dance is a registered UK charity (Charity no. 1053735, Company registration no. 3167185) and Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation founded in 1989 to champion and grow east London's dance scene. It delivers dance education, talent development, and large-scale performance programming from The Talent House — a purpose-built creative hub that opened in Stratford's Sugar House Island in July 2022 in partnership with music organisation UD. The facility houses two dance studios, music production studios, a live room, vocal booths, and a tech lab, and is designed to welcome more than 12,000 people annually while providing 2,100+ hours of free access to locally-based independent artists.

Core programmes span weekly classes (Adult Street Dance, Free Hip Hop & Street Dance for ages 7-17, Key Stage 1 classes for ages 4-7), East London Youth Dance Company (ELYDC, ages 13-17), The Fi.ELD talent accelerator (ages 16-25), Leap of Faith (over 60s), VR Dance (combining immersive VR with physical performance for young people aged 12-16 at risk of exclusion), Ideas Fund bursaries (up to £5,000), and flagship productions such as East Wall at the Tower of London in 2018 and Your Stratford Stage at the Olympic Park. Technical infrastructure includes the immersive VR programme and a "Talent House Ignite" artist-support offering; otherwise the product set is human-led dance instruction and live performance.

Revenue is generated primarily through multi-year public grants (Arts Council England NPO funding, Greater London Authority, London Legacy Development Corporation, London Borough of Newham) and trust/foundation grants (Esmée Fairbairn, The Prudence Trust, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Fidelio Charitable Trust), supplemented by earned income from fee-paying adult classes, studio hire, commissioned projects, and donations via JustGiving and CAF. Pricing is freemium for youth (ages 7-17) and seniors (60+), and subscription-based for adults with pricing not publicly disclosed. Distribution is regional (East London) via direct delivery at The Talent House, partner venues (Stratford Circus, Sadler's Wells, Studio Wayne McGregor), and a UK-wide digital channel through MESA Festival and the Fi.ELD national rollout.

Name

East London Dance

Legal name

East London Dance

Website

https://eastlondondance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

East London Dance is a registered UK charity and Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, founded 1989, that delivers dance education, performance, and talent development programmes from The Talent House in Stratford, serving east London communities across children, adults, seniors, and independent dance artists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB), Urban/Street Dance Performances (Hip-Hop, Breaking) (MPAGADAF), Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Community dance programs
• Youth dance education
• Dance artist development
• Performing arts education
• Creative venue hire

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Public Funding: Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding, trusts and foundations including Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Prudence Trust, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and various local government grants.
2. Dance Classes and Workshops: Fees from adult street dance classes, youth dance programmes, and specialist workshops offered at The Talent House and partner venues.
3. Studio Hire: Rental of dance studios and spaces at The Talent House to independent artists and organisations.
4. Commissioned Projects: Fees for bespoke dance performances, projects and commissions for external organisations and events.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate fundraising campaigns, and charitable giving through platforms like JustGiving and CAF.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

East London Dance is a registered charity (Charity no. 1053735) that provides community dance classes and workshops, youth and older-adult participation programmes, professional dance artist development, and hires out its purpose-built facility The Talent House for performances, rehearsals and events. It is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation delivering dance engagement across diverse east London communities.

Product overview

East London Dance is a dance arts organization (NPO/charity) offering a portfolio of dance classes, youth development programmes, and performance opportunities across east London. Core offerings include: dance classes for adults and youth (street dance, hip hop, contemporary); youth companies (East London Youth Dance Company for ages 13-17); talent development programmes (The Fi.ELD for ages 16-25); technology-integrated programmes (VR Dance); and the OUR HOUSE Takeover initiative. The organization operates from its purpose-built home, The Talent House, and administers the Ideas Fund for artist bursaries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Talent House: Purpose-built creative hub in Stratford's Sugar House Island, housing dance studios, music production studios, and flexible rehearsal space for dance and music artists.
• The Fi.ELD
• East London Youth Dance Company (ELYDC)
• Leap of Faith
• VR Dance
• Ideas Fund

Products and services

• Community Dance Classes and Workshops Participatory dance classes and short workshops for adults and community members, delivered primarily at The Talent House and across east London partner venues.
• Youth Dance Programmes Structured dance programmes and projects for children and young people in east London, delivered in schools and community settings.
• Older Adults Dance Programmes Participatory dance sessions and projects designed for older adults, often delivered in partnership with local authorities, community organisations and health or wellbeing initiatives.
• Dance Artist Development Programmes Professional and creative development opportunities for emerging and established dance artists, including rehearsal space, mentoring, platforms and commissions.
• Commissioned Dance Productions East London Dance commissions and produces performances and special projects, including pioneering immersive formats such as a Virtual Reality (VR) dance experience, presented at and beyond The Talent House.
• The Talent House Venue Hire Hire of The Talent House studio and performance spaces for rehearsals, performances, workshops, screenings and private or corporate events, available to third-party producers, artists and organisations.
• School and College Dance Workshops Bookable dance workshops and sessions delivered to schools and colleges across east London boroughs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 young people supported for wellbeing over the past decade
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• BirdGang LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2021Hip hop dance company partner for VR Dance programme, providing choreography and dance expertise for young people aged 12-16.
• Ideas Fund Partners (Dancers' Career Development, English National Ballet, One Dance UK, Redbridge Drama Centre, Sadler's Wells, Stratford Circus, Studio 3 Arts, Studio Wayne McGregor)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2021Consortium of UK and east London leading creative organisations supporting the Ideas Fund - a dragon's den style competition awarding bursaries up to £5,000 plus in-kind support for dance creatives.
• English National BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021Collaborative Summer Dance School bringing young Newham residents to ENB's Mulryan Centre for Dance. Funded by London Borough of Newham's HeadStart programme.
• UD (music organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2021Joint venture to create The Talent House - a combined creative hub for dance and music under one roof. UD and East London Dance share the purpose-built facility at Sugar House Island, enabling cross-pollination between art forms and expanded opportunities for young people and artists.
• UK Hip Hop Leadership Movement ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2019Consortium including Artists4Artists, Avant Garde Dance, Boy Blue, Breakin' Convention, East London Dance, Impact Dance, Uchenna Dance, University of East London, and ZooNation. Awarded Arts Council England Transforming Leadership funding for two-year programme.
• Sadler's WellsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2019Long-term partnership for Your Stratford Stage event at International Quarter London. Sadler's Wells presented Candoco Dance Company as part of the collaboration. Joint programming of dance activities and performances on the Olympic Park.
• Studio Wayne McGregorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2019Partner for Your Stratford Stage and Ideas Fund programme. Provides rehearsal space and creative expertise for artist development initiatives.
• Hofesh Shechter CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2018Four-year talent development programme (2014-2018) culminating in East Wall spectacular at Tower of London. Hofesh Shechter directed the production, working with emerging choreographers selected through the partnership.
• Historic Royal PalacesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2018Commissioned East Wall for presentation at Tower of London moat. Historic Royal Palaces provided the iconic venue and funding support for the large-scale dance and music spectacle.
• LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2018Co-presenter of East Wall as part of LIFT 2018 festival. LIFT committed to commissioning bold new work from world-class artists.
• London College of Fashion, UALcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2018Costume Design Partner for East Wall, providing creative expertise from fashion and costume students. Also partner for Creative Lab programme combining fashion, dance and technology.
• University of East LondonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2018Supporting Partner for East Wall and ongoing partner for Youth Dance Company. Performing Arts Department provides academic integration and student involvement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• One Dance UK: UK sector body for dance and an Ideas Fund consortium partner alongside ELD. Comparable as a national dance advocacy/training body supporting artists and organisations across the UK.

Direct peers

• Breakin' Convention: International hip hop dance festival and producer — a UK Hip Hop Leadership Movement consortium partner alongside ELD. Comparable as a UK hip hop dance organisation with participatory and presentation activity.
• The Place: London's leading centre for contemporary dance training, creation and performance — runs a similar mix of classes, youth companies, artist development, and venue hire. Most directly comparable peer as a London-based dance charity with both education and performance mandates.
• ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company: London hip hop dance theatre company — partner in the UK Hip Hop Leadership Movement consortium. Comparable as a UK hip hop dance company with both professional productions and youth/community engagement.
• Candoco Dance Company: Inclusive contemporary dance company that ELD programmed at Your Stratford Stage. Comparable as a UK dance company focused on disabled/inclusive dance, community participation, and learning programmes.
• Hofesh Shechter Company: Independent UK contemporary dance company and ELD partner on the East Wall production. Comparable as a choreographer-led dance company producing large-scale work and talent development programmes.
• Studio Wayne McGregor: Independent choreographer-led company partnering with ELD on Ideas Fund and Your Stratford Stage. Comparable as a London-based contemporary dance creator with strong artist development and education engagement.

Broad incumbents

• English National Ballet: National ballet company and ELD partner (collaborative Summer Dance School). Comparable because it runs outreach and learning programmes alongside professional production, but operates at a far larger scale as a national touring company.
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: London conservatoire delivering professional dance training alongside community and youth programmes. Comparable mission in dance education, though operating at HE-institution scale rather than as a charity.
• Sadler's Wells: London's flagship dance house and ELD's flagship partner. Comparable as both produce/present dance and run participation programmes, but Sadler's Wells is a much larger venue-operator with national reach and substantially greater resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eastlondondance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EastLondonDancetv
• Facebookfacebook.com/east.l.dance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-london-dance
• Instagraminstagram.com/east.london.dance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East London Dance