IMAGINING A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH DANCE.

HARNESSING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND THE COLLECTIVE ENERGY OF DANCE ARTISTS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE.

WE ARE

We are a small but mighty arts CIO with a reputation for a socially engaged, inventive, and ambitious approach, redefining community dance and arts in a rural context. Through partnerships, community practice, participants, and audiences, we introduce fresh, exciting perspectives on dance across generations and reach those most in need—whether isolated from their community, unable to attend other arts activities, or facing barriers to participation. The quality and uniqueness at our heart are deeply nurtured in our Powys roots.

We are cultivating forward thinking around the human experience for future generations, working in the NOW to stimulate and create social community change that resonates globally. Working to better the world, the people we love and fostering a community who move and who are moved.

Dance activism drives our work as we tackle the challenges our communities face today. We engage through creative education in schools, arts and health initiatives within communities, and by closely supporting dance artists to lead, develop, and strengthen their practice in Powys. Our work aligns with the fight for climate justice and raising the aspirations of the next generation of creatives.

OUR TEAM

We very much advocate for and nurture dance artists, those working on the ground, embedding them fully into our organisation if they choose—offering space to train, learn, and grow. It’s our seed to flower, our roots to branches.

Impelo is collectively steered by four individuals who work on behalf of the community, dancer membership, and the board to shape and guide our work. Convened by one and co-ordinated by three, we embody collaboration.

Our team works hard to co-create opportunities for our community, but they’re also here for you—open to exchanges, conversations, and shared ideas.

Get in touch with them below.

Bethan Cooper Convenor bethan@impelo.org.uk

Christiane Stroubakis Coordinator; Y Nyth & Artist Development. christie@impelo.org.uk

India Jade Sutton Coordinator; Intergenerational india@impelo.org.uk

Clara Rust Coordinator; Children and Young People clara@impelo.org.uk

“By existing within the system but somewhat at odds with it, the weed offers another way. It speaks of community links, mutual aid, less intensive practices and a make- do -and - mend approach.”

Magda Nawrocka- Weekes, Be a Weed, PAM 02 (FEM Press)

OUR HERITAGE

We are no strangers to resilient adaptability, we’ve learnt through both success and failure and an ever changing funding climate and most recently through our loss of Arts Council of Wales NPO status in 2024 to regroup, gather, learn and move forwards. Our track record demonstrates our grit and determination in hard times, adapting whilst never compromising our integrity, always finding joy, learning and moving forwards.

Today- Impelo governance and staffing structure reflects its organisation aims, it’s democratic, dancer and user led enabling both artists and the community artistically steer the work.

The foundation, our heritage, our own unique tale through which we flourish.

We began life as the Theatr Powys Dance Team, as part of the Theatr Powys arts team in 1977. This team developed until it was established as a separate entity in 1981 as Footloose Dance Company. Not long after opening the Dance Centre, the company became Powys Dance to then in 2015 leave local authority, become a charity and rebrand itself as Impelo.

We are using this adaptability and organisational heritage to nurture the next generation, giving them the greatest gift we can, to be responsive, bold and heartfelt in an ever changing world.

OUR NORTH STAR

Rather than a business plan or a mission and vision we are guided by our North Star which details our values, our working ecosystem and the driving forces behind out work, these principles include;

  • Programmes that are co-created with participants, emphasising involvement and ownership.

  • Nurture physical confidence and emotional wellbeing through failure-free environments.

  • Create authentic, real-world programmes with Generation Alpha and their elders that engage both mind and body.

  • Programmes that focus on creative exploration and curiosity, fostering a sense of place and self through dance.

  • Collective responsiveness, advocating for people and planet for future generations.