Oxford Gig-Arts

Gig-Arts held a dynamic Creative Enterprise Gig-Arts Event at the City of Oxford College Dance Studio on Thursday 16th March 2017. More than forty creative college students, of all abilities, took part. The students teamed up to gain enterprise skills, create colourful artworks and put on an exciting stage show for the local community. The theme for this event was 'Dance' - And to celebrate this genre of the Arts there was a glittering showcase from world-class Tango Dancers, Miriam Orcutt and Dante Culcuy, founders of the Oxford Tango Academy.  

Abbie Cooke, Founder of Gig-Arts said: "Gig-Arts Events are an excellent opportunity for young people in the Arts to learn how to develop their talents and forge a career in the Creative Industries.”  Miriam Orcutt and Dante Culcuy were delighted to be the guest stars at the event and exclaimed, “It is a pleasure to inspire young people to express themselves through dance and encourage them to follow their dreams."

Chris Hyde, Director at the City of Oxford College, and Co-organiser of the event added: "The Oxford Gig-Arts Event is an ideal opportunity for our creative arts students to gain the confidence and expertise required to gain employment. The combination of enterprise training and community outreach offered by Gig-Arts fits well with our objective to ensure our students are employment ready."

Special thanks goes to the Oxford Gig-Arts Event sponsor, Dare Investments. Martin Dare, Managing Director of Dare Investments, who commented, " Dare Investments and I are delighted to be part of Oxford Gig-Arts. The City of Oxford College provides an important role in the education ladder - Bridging the gap between skilled professionals, business and education - An area of the UK economy that the Government is enthusiastically promoting." 

Following the Oxford Gig-Arts Event, the impact of the day rolls on. Dance inspired artworks from the event have been presented to Oxford-based charity Yellow Submarine. And the colourful wooden sculptures that the students collaboratively made on the day, are being presented to a local school. 

This Oxford Gig-Arts Event marks the grand finale of a trio of events held in partnership with Activate Learning - Events have been held over the past four months at Banbury and Bicester College and at Reading College. A huge thank you to everyone involved!

Gig-Arts Team ( left to right) - Tango Dancers Dante & Miriam, Abbie Cooke Founder and CEO of Gig-Arts , Chris Hyde Director at The City of Oxford College, Martin Dare event sponsor and Jem Tyler Head of Music at Gig-Arts.

Performing Arts Students from the City of Oxford College creating colourful artworks to give to a local school.

Great collaboration - Students creating colourful artworks for the community.

A performing arts student gaining creative enterprise skills and advice.

The Gig-Arts teams creating Tango Dance inspired artworks to give to the Yellow Submarine Charity in Oxford.

The Oxford Gig-Arts Show!

Great dances moves in the Oxford Gig-Arts Show!

Jem Tyler, Head of Music at Gig-Arts, inspires the audience

Gig-Arts Sponsor, Martin Dare, shakes hands with Directors from the City of Oxford College

Miriam & Dante, Special Guest Tango Dancers, perform and then enjoy the rest of the Gig-Arts Show.