Farooq Chaudhry, producer and co-founder of Akram Khan Company, shares his experience in developing an international touring dance company and producing stage productions through collaborations in the past 11 years.

The talk will provide a general introduction to the UK contemporary dance scene and give an insight into the management of the company, touching on issues such as balancing artistic and financial needs, cultivating relationships and working internationally.

*Reservations required.
From Tuesday to Friday 11:00-18:00 please call +86 10 5780 0200 to book. Please note that you can only book 1 seat at a time.
Members can also book by emailing: members@159.138.20.147 (Email bookings are reserved for UCCA members only)

UK Now is the largest ever festival of British arts and creative industries to take place in China. Coinciding with the London Olympics and the 40th anniversary of China-UK Ambassadorial relations, the Festival will bring British and Chinese arts institutions, artists and art lovers closer together. In collaboration with British Council, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) will present a series of art experience events in music, architecture, design, visual art, dance, literature and film.

Guest: Farooq Chaudhry (Producer, Akram Khan Company)

Born in Pakistan, Farooq Chaudhry graduated from the London Contemporary Dance School in 1986. As a professional dance artist he worked in a variety of dance mediums in various European countries, the highlight being his time as a company member of the Belgian modern dance company Rosas during the mid-nineties. In 1988 he received an Asian Achievement Award for his work as a dancer. He retired from dancing in 1999 after which he completed an MA in Arts Management from City University in London.

In 1999, Farooq Chaudhry teamed up with Akram Khan and they founded Akram Khan Dance Company a year later. As the company producer, he has played a key role in forming innovative business models to support Akram Khan's artistic ambitions as well as offering creative support during the development of Akram Khan's projects.

Farooq Chaudhry is a regular speaker in arts management and cultural entrepreneurship courses around the world. He is also the Chair of Dance UK's Board and a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee for Clore Leadership Programme. In February 2011, he became an honorary artistic advisor to Guangzhou Opera House in China.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged him in a list of the world's top hundred cultural actors and entrepreneurs in 2008.

Partner: British Council