About me
Hi I’m Rosie and welcome to my new website!
I have 18 years experience working in the Cultural Sector, as a Choreographer, Producer and Leader.
I have collaborated with renowned organisations including: Rambert, East London Dance and Spotlight to build a portfolio career that blends creativity, leadership and engagement. My purpose is to deliver impactful programmes that amplify diverse voices and create meaningful change.
Leadership
In 2014 I founded DanceWest and transformed it from a small start-up into an award-winning non-profit organisation, which I led as Chief Executive until 2024.
Under my leadership, DanceWest engaged 30,000 participants annually, growing into a fully operational charity with its own building, dedicated staff team and a £300,000 turnover. My strategic vision enabled the organisation to thrive during the pandemic, securing £211,000 in emergency funding and reaching 15,600 people. I led the capital campaign, raising £79,000 during the cost-of-living crisis to open the DanceWest Studio in 2022.
Throughout my leadership DanceWest was supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery, NHS England with a team of partners including: Mencap, Action on Disability and Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. DanceWest’s work was featured in Marie Claire, The Evening Standard, BBC and London Live.
Spotlight is a £1.3million creative youth centre in East London led by Poplar Harca Housing Association. As the Creative Director I was responsible for designing leading the fundraising for the programme which served and supported young people aged 11-24. I led a six month consultation with the youth board, schools and local young people to inform and design a programme which launched the building in 2012. I engaged national and local arts organisations including: Bow Arts, V&A, London College of Fashion and Whitechapel Gallery to deliver the activities and leveraged £250,000 from Arts council England, Youth Music and trusts and foundations.
I am dedicated to shaping the future of dance and I served as Co-Chair of the UK-wide Dance, Learning and Participation network from 2020-23, helping drive sector-wide initiatives. I've also been a member of One Dance UK’s Choreographic Steering Committee.
As a guest lecturer at Middlesex University, Trinity Laban and Kingston University inspiring the next generation of cultural professionals. I am proud to have been recognised with multiple awards, including One Dance UK's Spotlight Award shortlist (2022), Outstanding Contribution to Community Dance (2021), and receiving a Civic Honour from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (2018).
Choreographer
With over two decades of international experience, my work as a choreographer spans across theatre, fashion, television, and live performance. My clients include top brands and artists such as Vogue Italia, Diesel, Alexander Wang, Gregory Porter, Sassoon, and Paris Fashion Week. I have also had the privilege of creating work for Southbank Centre, Duckie, and Lillian Baylis. Supported by leading organisations like the Barbican, Create London, Arts Council England, and the Cultural Olympiad, my work has taken me across the globe, from Australia, Asia, and Europe.
Producer
I bring extensive experience in producing and managing large-scale initiatives, including participatory outdoor programmes, festivals, live events, films, and professional dance productions. As co-founder of Ignition Dance Festival, I transformed it from a £4,000 initiative into a £60,000 festival, showcasing cutting-edge choreographers: Lea Anderson, Jammal Burkmar, and James Wilton. The festival has earned critical acclaim, including a four-star review from The Guardian, and established partnerships with the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith and Rose Theatre Kingston. As Executive Producer, I played a pivotal role in shaping Ignition Dance Festival into a major platform for emerging artists, commissioning over 70 creators.
Lets Connect
You can collaborate with me through fundraising, producing, or developing impactful cultural programmes. Whether you’re looking to bring a vision to life or drive meaningful change, I am here to help make it happen. In the meantime, download my CV or visit my LinkedIn for more details.
Contact
You can also contact me at: rosiewhitneyfish@gmail.com