ROSINA BONSU BURSARY 2023-2024

WITH THE WORK ROOM AND PROJECT X

In honour of Rosina Bonsu and her incredible influence on Scotland’s dance scene, Project X and The Work Room is supporting a dance artist from the African/Caribbean diaspora with the Rosina Bonsu Bursary. The funding for this bursary has come from a legacy donation from Dance House Glasgow and a gift from the Bonsu family in honour of Rosina (pictured right).

Rosina was an inspiring dance artist, choreographer and educator who generously nurtured and encouraged dance artists of all ages throughout her career. You can read a tribute to her written by the Work Room here.

The bursary provides a choreographer/ dance artist at a critical stage of their career with paid time & financial support, enabling them to refresh and develop their practice and instigate their own creative project, in collaboration with Project X and The Work Room.

Black woman (Salma Faraji) standing in front of a black background, wearing a pin stripe suit with rolled up sleeves. She points with her right index fingers. A woman is sitting in the corner from her.

This year’s selected artist is Salma Faraji - pictured left

Salma is a dance teacher, lecturer and artist. Originally from Tanzania, Salma has performed, taught and shared joy alongside inspiring choreographers and communities worldwide. Combining movement through British Sign Language, the distinct choreography articulates her story.

“I continue to find narrative in my practice, with a firm belief that shared experiences inspire me as a Teacher and Performer. With the exceptional support and advice from The Workroom and Project X to research, develop and create further work, in honouring Rosina’s incredible legacy, I celebrate the vast experience from my mentor’s past and present.  I am thrilled for the opportunity to explore the links between different Dance forms, exploring languages within culture, collaborating with Artists, dramaturgs, musicians, directors and producers.

This bursary offers a fundamental journey to allow the conversation about equality, diversity and inclusion to be further acknowledged, informing  my work. My wider practice is a response to my personal development: Am I too Old, too different, too vulnerable, too honest?”