A number of contemporary dance companies across the UK have been chosen to take part in a new scheme to tour shows rurally.

The National Rurtal Touring Forum (NRTF) have chosen eight companies to tour across rural areas of the country in 2016 and 2017, as part of their Rural Touring Dance Initiative.

On top of that, a further five have been shortlisted to receive a grant of £45,000 to tour a new show in 2017 and 2018.

Ralph Lister, the NRTF Development Director, said: “From our research with The Audience Agency we know that over half the rural audiences are infrequent arts attenders and that around 20% only access the professional arts through their local village hall.

“Arts Council audience research has also shown that only 2% of their dance National Portfolio Organisations tour to rural areas.

“Taken together this project is a fantastic opportunity to get new audiences into dance.

“The NRTF believes that rural communities are entitled to access the arts to the same degree as their urban counterparts.”

The companies chosen to take part in the scheme are; Panta Rei, Phoenix Dance, Spilt Milk, Sonia Sabri Company, Lost Dog, Protein, Joan Clevillé Dance and Lîla Dance.

They were chosen through a mixture of a showcase in 2014, and an open call of over 155 companies and artists.

James Wilton Dance, Sarah Blanc’s Moxie Brawl, Tom Dale Company, Greg Wohead and Ben Wright’s group have been shortlisted for the grant.

James Wilton of James Wilton Dance, said: “I relish the challenge of having my work in many venue types, from large scale venues to village halls, and believe that the physicality is capable of reaching out to people in all environments.

“Also, having grown up in and now living in a rural setting, it is essential for me to present work within these communities.”

All the companies have attended a course in Somerset called ‘The Lab’, which aimed to teach them how to adapt their performances for different spaces.

The Rural Touring Dance Initiative is a partnership between the NRTF, China Plate Theatre, The Place and Take Art.

Eight companies have been chosen to take part in the NRTF’s Rural Touring Dance Initiative. For more information, click here.