Curious Motion is where dance becomes a meeting place for care, connection, and change.
We work at the intersection of dance and health to support people to live well together.
We envision a society without loneliness; where social connection, creativity, and self-expression are accessible to all.
Curious Motion was founded in 2019 to address the frustrations and health-related challenges faced by under-represented communities in our home borough of Calderdale, West Yorkshire; in particular, the areas of Elland and the lower valley.
We open our doors wide to people of all ages and backgrounds and are committed to supporting those whose voices are often unheard.
Our goal is to support the cultural fabric of our community to create a fairer, healthier, and more compassionate world.
We facilitate meaningful encounters through a variety of projects, supporting individuals to connect more deeply with themselves, each other, and the world around them.
Our work is co-created with our community and includes performances, events, film and podcast work, and a year-round activity programme.
We also support other professionals, artists, and organisations working in aligned sectors through our Shared Practice offer.
At Curious Motion, we understand that true transformation happens through collaboration. Our community is actively involved in shaping and leading the work we do. We strive to learn, explore, and stay curious, constantly evolving and responding to the changing landscapes of our society.
Our core values — artistry, belonging, compassion, curiosity, and integrity — guide everything we do. We are a dedicated team, including freelance artists, volunteers, and creatives, who share a common purpose.
We strive to provide high-quality, ambitious artistic experiences that draw upon the power of the arts to connect us.
Access and empathy are embedded and prioritised so that everyone feels they can be themselves.
We take action to address inequalities, treating ourselves and others with kindness in recognition of our shared humanity.
We love to learn about the world and each other. We utilise play and imagination to explore new things.
We work with honesty and dedication, ensuring we remain accountable to our community.
At the core of Curious Motion’s work is connection and belonging, particularly for and with under-represented communities.
Research shows that loneliness poses a serious risk of early death (45%), exceeding the risks posed by more commonly recognised issues such as obesity (20%) and excessive alcohol consumption (30%). People who have stronger social relationships are 50% more likely to recover from health issues. (J. Holt-Lunstad, T. B. Smith and J. Bradley Layton, 2010)
We are advocating for:
We want to see excellent, professionally-led dance and creative opportunities fully integrated into local and national health services.
Moving beyond dance being seen as an exercise regime to recognition of the substantial contribution it makes to all aspects of our wellbeing.
Playing our part to reduce discrimination promote the benefits of a more inclusive and compassionate society.
We want all people to be able to access their rights as human beings; an essential element in tackling loneliness, particularly for those who are under-represented.
Championing co-created dance and health practice in small communities and towns for the benefit of our society as a whole.
Loneliness being fully understood and recognised as a serious health risk. We want to see this taken as seriously as obesity, smoking and other widely recognised health issues.
A preventative approach to health and wellbeing; truly addressing what causes health problems alongside supporting people with recovery.
Dancing naturally fosters empathy and connection with others – we see this in communities and cultures around the world, from Hawaii to Scotland and South Africa to Australia. Dance and movement have told our stories for thousands of years.
The body and movement are integral to our wellbeing as human beings, enabling us to explore and unleash the healing powers of the body and draw upon physiological knowledge to support others. Humans use movement to communicate, process emotions, explore and express who we are, and even process trauma.
Science shows that important things are happening in our bodies when we dance, for example:
We also complement our dance practice with other creative experiences to foster curiosity and increase access – promoting a culture of collaboration, learning, experimentation, and wonder. The arts sector makes a vital contribution to the health and wellbeing of society in many ways, and we celebrate this.
‘Curiosity’s reason for existing is not simply to be a tool for acquiring knowledge; it reminds us that we are alive.
Researchers are finding evidence that curiosity is correlated with creativity, intelligence, improved learning and memory, and problem solving.’
Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart, 2021
