JASMIN VARDIMON COMPANY AND INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS BARCELONA JOIN FORCES FOR MAJOR CREATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

Today, Kent based Jasmin Vardimon Company announces a collaborative initiative with Institute of The Arts Barcelona in Sitges that will expand its activity and provide a European base to operate alongside its Ashford home. Vardimon’s partnership with the Institute will act in conjunction with its UK activities, with the aim of providing a further platform for the development of new work, the expansion of the company’s rich educational programme and as a springboard into the rest of Spain and beyond. From training to producing and presenting, utilising local and international on and off stage talent and to reaching out to new audiences, the relationship between the two organisations forms a strategic alignment that aims to enhance their joint artistic contribution throughout the Europe as a whole. 

At the forefront of the partnership will be the creation of work, with a major new project to be announced for next year which will be developed in Barcelona . This will also provide the impetus for Vardimon’s hugely respected Educational Company to expand its sphere of activity into Spain with various courses to be established at The Institute that will run alongside the main hub of the company’s training programme in the UK. 

Founded in 2013 by producer Mark Lethem and performing arts academic Giles Auckland-Lewis, The Institute of the Arts Barcelona is Europe´s newest higher education performing arts institute. Situated in the cosmopolitan town of Sitges on the shores of the Mediterranean in a state of the art building with 11 dance studios, 200 seat theatre, 3 acting rehearsal theatres, singing rooms and recording facilities.  The IAB provides 1 year Foundation, 3 year BA Hons and 1 year Masters programmes in Dance, Commercial Dance, Acting, Musical Theatre, Popular Music Vocal Performance and Contemporary Circus Arts.The student body of approximately 300 students come from over 25 different countries. The courses are delivered in English and are validated by Liverpool John Moores University The IAB produces over 30 shows a year. First BA Hons and Masters students will graduate this year. The concept behind the IAB is to provide English language interdisciplinary vocational training to aspiring talented young performing artists from all over the world, to prepare them for work in the global performing arts economy in a specialist and holistic environment.

Enjoying sell-out performances across the UK and internationally, Jasmin Vardimon Company’s works include: Freedom (‘Breathtaking, mesmerizing and frequently thought provoking’ – South Wales Echo), 7734 (‘Theatrical gold. Piercingly powerful’ – Daily Telegraph) Yesterday (‘Beautiful. A deft theatrical touch’ – The Observer), Justitia (‘Terrific – stylishly designed, vividly played’-The Guardian), Park (‘Extraordinary… sexy and beautiful’- New Statesman), Lullaby (‘Dangerous and beautiful impassioned and remarkable’ – Daily Mail).  In 2015 Jasmin Vardimon Company collaborated with The Turner Contemporary in Margate and the architect Ron Arad and artist Guy Bar-Amotz on the critically acclaimed immersive performance Maze (”A sense of magic“ – The Guardian.) The company’s most recent work, an adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic fairy tale Pinocchio (‘Simple yet elaborate, stark but magical, Pinocchio is a pretty impressive achievement’ The Times) returns to Sadlers Wells this autumn and sell out run there last year and a subsequent critically acclaimed tour

Jasmin Vardimon Educational Company offers an exciting and varied education and training programme. With Jasmin’s vision to nurture talent and potential at its heart, the Educational Company’s work extends from the community in which it operates, to the national curriculum, from those in professional training and already working in the profession to those who share a passion for dance.

Jasmin Vardimon says 
I’m excited at the prospect of our new alliance with IAB. The partnership promises to enrich my artistic vision and further enhance my commitment to and passion for education. We are thrilled to be able to work simultaneously in Spain and the UK on our new multicultural project, whilst also widening our educational reach and offer.

Giles Auckland-Lewis – principal of IAB says The Institute of the Arts Barcelona says
The Institute of the Arts Barcelona is a unique international creative community. It is more than an educational establishment as it has its own creative identity and creative vision. Having one of the most innovative and exciting choreographers and dance companies based within our building is a unique and wonderful opportunity for both the IAB and its students. Too often education and training institutions are isolated from the heart of the creative industries. Having Jasmin Vardimon working at and in the IAB will ensure that we are at the cutting edge of contemporary creative practice. Our partnership are not limited to JVC but include bringing in to our building some of Europe´s and Americas leading practitioners such as Desmond Richardson from Complexion Contemporary Ballet (New York)  and Company Wayne Macgregor and many more.

For more information contact
David Burns
David Burns PR
07789 754089
[email protected]