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| École des Sables | |
|---|---|
| Name | École des Sables |
| Established | 2003 |
| Founder | Germaine Acogny |
| Type | Dance school |
| City | Toubab Dialaw |
| Country | Senegal |
École des Sables is an international centre for contemporary dance and African dance techniques founded in 2003 by Germaine Acogny. The school functions as a hub for choreography, pedagogy, and performance linking African and global traditions, attracting students and faculty from across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. It emphasizes intercultural exchange among practitioners connected to institutions such as the Paris Opera Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and companies led by figures like Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham.
The founding in 2003 by Germaine Acogny followed her career milestones at institutions including Centre National de la Danse, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and collaborations with artists linked to African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), Festival d'Avignon, and Biennale de Dakar. Early programming drew on exchanges with choreographers associated with Angelin Preljocaj, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Garth Fagan, and pedagogues from Juilliard School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and Codarts. The school's development intersected with cultural policies promoted by entities such as Ministry of Culture (Senegal), UNESCO, and NGOs that support arts residencies like British Council and Institut Français.
Situated in the coastal village of Toubab Dialaw near Dakar and the Cap-Vert Peninsula, the site occupies land acquired with support from local partners and international donors including foundations similar to Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Rockefeller Foundation. Facilities comprise studios inspired by designs used at venues such as Théâtre National Daniel Sorano, La Villette, and rehearsal spaces reminiscent of those at Sadler's Wells Theatre and Lincoln Center. The campus includes accommodations for residents, outdoor performance lawns facing the Atlantic, and spaces for interdisciplinary work with musicians and visual artists affiliated with Youssou N'Dour, Cheikh Lô, and ensembles comparable to Orchestre National de Barbès.
The pedagogy blends techniques rooted in West African traditional forms associated with regions like the Senegal River Delta, Casamance, and influences from Sahelian and Sahel ensemble repertoires alongside contemporary methods from creators such as William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, and Rudolf Laban. Courses cover composition, improvisation, anatomy as taught in programs like Laban-Bartenieff, and history drawing on archives from institutions like Musée Théodore Monod and collections related to figures such as Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti. Summer intensives and year-round programs invite masterclasses led by visiting artists from companies including Ballet Hispánico, Guggenheim Ballet Project, and choreographers connected with Jacob's Pillow.
Faculty and visiting teachers have included prominent practitioners and researchers associated with Germaine Acogny's network, collaborators who have worked with Tito Puente, Ismael Lo, Angelin Preljocaj, Seydou Boro, Ousmane Sembène-linked artists, and instructors from conservatories like Conservatorio di Milano and École Normale Supérieure. Alumni have gone on to join companies and projects linked to Biennale de la Danse de Lyon, Théâtre du Soleil, Festival International de Marseille, and international troupes collaborating with institutions such as UNICEF cultural programs and touring circuits managed by presenters like Sadler's Wells and Festival d'Automne à Paris.
The school produces seasonal showcases that synchronize with events such as the Biennale de Dakar, Festival Saint-Louis, and regional celebrations akin to the Festival au Désert; guest choreographers have presented work co-produced with theatres including Théâtre de la Ville, Teatro alla Scala, and festivals like Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Performances often feature commissions that involve musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers who have collaborated with festivals and venues such as Cannes Film Festival side events, Carrefour des Arts, and international presenters like CIFRA.
École des Sables maintains partnerships with universities, cultural institutes, and arts organizations comparable to University of the Arts London, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Institut Français, British Council, and networks like Pan African Dance Movement and World Dance Alliance. Outreach programs engage community dancers from nearby villages and towns linked to markets and cultural circuits of Thiès, Mbour, and Joal-Fadiouth, and cooperate with initiatives similar to Artists for Peace and Justice and educational programs modeled on El Sistema.
The institution, its founder, and associates have received accolades and nominations from bodies analogous to Prince Claus Fund, Cecil B. DeMille Award-type honors in national contexts, and recognition at festivals like Festival d'Avignon and Biennale de Lyon. Projects affiliated with the school have been shortlisted for prizes and commissions from organizations such as UNESCO Artist for Peace-type programs and celebrated in coverage by outlets connected to Le Monde, The New York Times, and cultural broadcasters comparable to RFI.
Category:Dance schools Category:Culture of Senegal