ResDance Series 3: Episode 8: Bringing the voice of the freelance dance artist to the fore with Anna Watkins In this episode, Anna shares insight into her experiences as a freelance dancer and choreographer and the ways she continues to develop her artistic practice. We explore her experiences of being a freelance artist in relation to the challenges it can bring within the industry and the importance of ‘giving voice’ to mid-career and established artists. Anna draws upon experiences from her company ‘Watkins Dance Company’ and her agency ‘theArtists network’ (founded in June 2020) as a platform for collaboration and support of professional dance artists from cross art forms. Throughout the episode, Anna advocates for greater and improved support from the dance industry and highlights how her future research endeavours aim to continue to bring the voice of the freelance dance artist to the fore. Anna has 18 years performing professionally, having worked with dance companies & choreographers such as: Taira Foo, Shobana Jeyasingh, Phoenix Dance Theatre (CC Lab), Tavaziva Dance, Motionhouse, Oceanallover, Thea Barnes, Neville Campbell, Harriet Macauley & more. Anna has toured her 12-year independent company work 'Watkins Dance Company' in the UK & Internationally by funding & commissioning organisations Arts Council England, East London Dance, Swindon Dance, The Garage, DanceEast, South East Dance, awarded Associate Artist (2017-2018) Swindon Dance. Anna has led professional company classes in the UK and internationally for companies such as Rambert, Żfin Malta - National Dance Company of Malta and NDCWales - National Dance Company Wales. Recently Rehearsal Director working on the development process of a newly formed company in Wales, following a commission as choreographer to create a new work '24HR' for the Triple Bill world premiere. in August 2022 Anna worked with Soul City Arts for production 'Waswasa' as Movement Director, creation by Mohammed Ali, Birmingham Hippodrome as part of Birmingham Festival, Commonwealth Games. In 2023 awarded Arts Council England funding for DYCP ‘Over 30’ project. Contact details: Email: [email protected] Website: Website: www.watkinsdancecompany.com Instagram: @anna.watkins  @watkins_dance_company Twitter: @WatkinsDanceCo Facebook: @WatkinsDanceCompany Photo credit for headshot is: Fatima Sastre Useful links: www.the-freelance-artists.com www.watkinsdancecompany.com Support freelance artists, donate to theArtists platform: https://www.gofundme.com/f/theartists-freelancers-funding-pot