Neus Gil Cortes

As creatives and storytellers, I think we play an important role in portraying identities and experiences. The joy of enabling others’ stories to be heard creates a profound sense of belonging within ourselves . When we embrace diverse narratives, we develop mutual understanding and collaboration, enriching our community and culture. I guess the aim of mindful leaders is to create environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their unique perspectives. #CulturalLeadership #Storytelling

I’ve always been passionate about leadership, especially in the arts and cultural sector here in the UK. I’ve recently joined the @leadandcreate leadership course for dance makers with my good friend Neus Gil Cortes, and, as of yesterday, I have officially enrolled in the SLMDA programme at the wonderfully supportive @nishkamcentre here in Birmingham! As I dive into the materials, I’m discovering golden nuggets of wisdom that I’ll be sharing regularly. Here’s my first insight: Company Culture is the shared values and behaviours that shape our work environment. Company Values are the core principles guiding our actions, while Organisational Behaviours are the actions of individuals within the company. Visible Actions are how these values manifest in day-to-day practices. And remember, Consistency means aligning these values with actual behaviours, fostering trust and credibility. The formula « Culture = values + behaviour x consistency, » inspired by Simon Sinek and the Navy SEALs, and tweaked by Garry Ridge, the former CEO of WD-40, encapsulates this beautifully. Stay tuned for more insights as I continue this journey!

‼️EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!‼️ In partnership with Neus Gil Cortes of Lead and Create we are excited to offer members of Dance Co-operative Birmingham support to attend Lead and Create’s 7 week online course; Leadership for Independent Choreographers, created by and for dance professionals. Shaped with input from over 50 artists and guided by specialists in leadership, strategy, health, and conflict engagement, it speaks directly to the realities of freelance choreographic work. ✨Weekly content to explore in your own time ✨2 hour live masterclasses with guest specialists (recorded and available to watch afterwards) ✨A private LinkedIn group for peer connection ✨ Certificate of completion for your professional CV 🗓️Date: 20th October-5th December, Fridays ⏰Time: 8:30am-10:45am 📍Location: Online Price: £65* *subsidised place for members of Dance Co-operative Birmingham at Early Bird rate - which expires on 10th October. After 10th Oct, the rate will increase to £115 ✅To book your place email us at [email protected] Our members voted for our next activity to be this type of Business Development 👍🏻 To have your say on what we facilitate next, apply to become a member via our website, link in bio! 👉

Thanks @lolagarciaphotography for these amazing pictures!!! 🥰

Want to maximise the time you spend with collaborators and create your strongest work yet? Leadership for Independent Choreographers is a 7-week online course created by and for dance professionals. Shaped with input from over 50 artists and guided by specialists in leadership, strategy, health, and conflict engagement, it speaks directly to the realities of freelance choreographic work. Through a mix of flexible learning, peer support, and live masterclasses led by coaches and experts in the dance sector, you’ll gain practical tools, reflective frameworks, and mentoring guidance. This course tackles the real challenges choreographers face: balancing vision with logistics, supporting collaborators, and sustaining wellbeing. Flexible and affordable, it equips you to lead your projects and collaborations with clarity, confidence, and care—so you can maximise time with your team and create your best art. The format – Weekly content to explore in your own time – 2-hour live masterclasses with guest specialists – A private LinkedIn group for peer connection Dates 20 October- 5 December with live sessions every Friday 8:30am-10:45am (recorded and available to watch afterwards) More info and book here: @leadandcreate

Hidden dynamics in your Studio- a half an hour free training for performing arts teachers Watch to find out more about how much you can influence them and why making space to train and develop tools outside studio is better than having to figure it all out under pressure. At the end of the training I share details about ENGAGE- the leadership training for teachers on 28 September in person in London, (Oops I said June in the video- it is September!) The training will be facilitated by @carrietaylorjohnson Tom English and myself- head to @leadandcreate bio to book- Early Bird discount until 10th September

Let’s get Reel about Friday night at the Playground ✨ What a night! Huge love to everyone who showed up with energy and heart — you made it unforgettable. 💃 Big shoutout to our choreographers & musicians: @dancecollide Lauren @laurendwilliams Reuben @reubenspencer01_ bobby @audiophiliacuk Bar @sababa.company William @williamsouthmusic Cali @calihollisterr & Pouya @pouyaehsaei — your creativity lit up the room. 🗣️ Thanks Neus @nuadance @leadandcreate for holding space in the Chat Room so beautifully. 📲 And Jonah @jonah.yang.finearts @jonah_jy — your Insta Takeover was pure magic! (Catch it in our Highlights if you missed it 👀). Finally, love to our dream team — Rambert Reception @rambertdance Jenny @jenny.c.hayes Hua @huahan_taiwan Sarah @srubidge1 & Archie @archie.white — none of this happens without you 🫵 We grow, create & celebrate together — see you at the next Playground, Friday 26 Sept 2025 🎉 #weareback #theplayground #originalformat #rambert #dance #community #artists #create #explore #collaborate #share #artistswhocollaborate #play #7years

The Chat Room is back 💭 Come join uk UK-based choreographer, dramaturg, and teacher Neus Gil Cortés @nuadance 🫰 No Pain, All Gain? Rethinking Creativity Without the Chaos. Topic: Is Stress a Prerequisite for Genius — Or a Sign of Poor Leadership? Why do we so often accept that creativity has to be messy, stressful, or even painful? Is the myth of the tortured genius still shaping how we work—and is it helping or hurting the final result? Can strong leadership make creative work smoother and more impactful? Or does too much structure kill inspiration? Let’s debate what drives great art: chaos, control, or something in between. Neus is the artistic director of Nua Dance, a project-based company funded by Arts Council England, known for its bold integration of dance, circus, and visual design. A former dancer with Hofesh Shechter, NDCWales, and Dance Works Rotterdam, Neus has contributed to over 60 creative processes across Europe. Her work often explores perception, power, and the body, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion. Through Lead & Create @leadandcreate , Neus supports freelance choreographers with leadership training, mentoring, and peer-led dialogue. The platform includes a podcast, annual leadership programmes for both choreographers and teachers, and weekly resources tailored to the freelance dance sector. She has facilitated three Rethinking Leadership Conversations to date, bringing artists together to explore alternative models of leadership grounded in care, agency, and sustainability. Neus has also been invited to deliver leadership training sessions for Sadler’s Wells Young Associates, speak at a Dance Leaders Group conference, and contribute to other sector-wide initiatives. Book your spot via the Linktree in our BIO, and find out more Neus. Images by | Patricio Forrester | Magdalena Korpas | Daniel Phung | #weareback #theplayground #originalformat #rambert #dance #community #artists #create #explore #collaborate #share #artistswhocollaborate #play #7years #chatroom

🫰| pinch 🥊 | punch | first of the month! 👋 ☀️ July is bringing #heat-wave 👋 so wave Hello to good, sunny #CPD vibes! Make this year - YOUR year step up // skill up // in 2025 ✏️ GET THESE DATES IN YOUR DAIRY ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— 🧺 Rethinking Leadership Picnic // 25JULY // 📍London #FREE #allinfoinbio 📒 Leadership for Teachers // 28 SEPT // 📍London// in person. Bookings open in August. Sign up to our newsletter for more info 📙 Leadership for Choreographers // 24 OCT-8 DEC // 💻Online. Bookings open in September. Sign up to our newsletter for more info. 👩‍💻 Did you note? The choreographer’s course will be accessible online so it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you can join us from the comfort of your own home! — #RethinkingLeadership #DanceLeadership #FreelanceDance #OneDanceUK #UDance2025 #LondonEvents #CreativeLeadership #OutdoorGathering

🧺🥤🍎 MEET YOUR HOST! 🍎🥤🧺 After LUNCHING our exciting Rethinking Leadership Picnic — it’s time to roll out the picnic blanket for our host… Neus Gil Cortés 🙌 Neus is the founder of Lead&Create but she’s also a choreographer, dramaturg, teacher — and your picnic host! She’s also the artistic director of Nua Dance, an Arts Council England–funded company. With 20+ years in the dance world, Neus has performed with NDCWales, Hofesh Shechter, and Dance Works Rotterdam, and contributed to over 60 creative processes. Since 2022, she’s been exploring leadership herself through programmes like Clore Leadership’s Discover Your Leadership and Coaching Skills for Cultural Leadership by Arts Connect & the University of Wolverhampton. She’s passionate about holding space for curiosity, honesty, and change — and is excited to share that space with you. ⸻ 🍏🧺 What’s in the basket? An informal, open-air gathering for freelance professionals in dance, no matter your role. A space to connect, share stories, and reimagine leadership — together, on the grass. We’re hosting this alongside the UDance Festival by @OneDanceUK , to welcome fresh voices into the leadership conversation. ⸻ 🥤🧺 When and where is it!? 📍 Friday 25 July | 10am–1pm 🌿 Near Sadler’s Wells East, London (exact spot on registration) 🎒 #LINKINBIO to sign up 🥪 Bring snacks 👒 Bring a sunhat (or umbrella – it’s still the UK) 💡 Bring your boldest questions 🙌 Let’s sit together, reflect, and reimagine leadership in our sector. 🪂 Registration via the link in bio — so we can share the exact meeting point. ✨ You don’t need to have all the answers. Just bring your curiosity. See you there! ⸻ Images © @lachlense.photography #RethinkingLeadership #DanceLeadership #FreelanceDance #OneDanceUK #UDance2025 #LondonEvents #CreativeLeadership #OutdoorGathering

🧠 Leadership & Defensiveness #letstalkaboutit… One question that keeps coming up in leadership sessions lately: How do you respond when someone gets defensive? Defensiveness often isn’t about the words being said — it’s about what’s underneath. It can be a cover for fear, powerlessness, or feeling unheard. Common reactions? 👉 “Just do it because I said so.” 👉 Over-apologising and taking on responsibility for someone else’s discomfort. Both feed the power struggle. 💡 —> But there’s a third way: Respond to the emotion, not the reaction. Pause. Empathise. Hold your boundaries. It’s not easy — but it creates real connection. 🫟 Share - splat it on your story 🫟 Comment - if you care for it 🫟 Sign up - to our mailing list 🫟 Join - our upcoming Leadership Picnic (see below) 📣☝️ ALL #LINKSINBIO #LEADANDCREATE #LeadAndCreate #LeadershipTools #EmotionalIntelligence #DanceLeadership #RadicalEmpathy #ArtsLeadership #Defensiveness #LeadershipGoals

🙌💥 TONIGHTS THE NIGHT!💥🙌 #BendingReality opens at @jacksons_lane // 7:30pm and we are so excited to show you our world! 🤹‍♀️🎫 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! 🥁 ROLL UP, ROLL UP.. What will #BendingReality look, feel, and sound like!? Blending TED Talk-style insights with contemporary dance, circus, and playful visual and sound illusions, this performance explores how perception and memory shape our understanding of reality. Directed by Spanish choreographer Neus Gil Cortes, Bending Reality is atmospheric, physically daring, and visually rich, transforming the stage with sculptural costume by Isabel Castro-Jung and video design by Ben Glover, creating a space where reality feels fluid and layered. Accessibility is at the heart of the show, with creative captions, sound-reactive visuals, and Woojer vests available to experience sound vibrations — making it especially welcoming for deaf audiences. #toitoitoi 🙌 Enjpy everyone! 🪄Thursday 29th + Friday 30th May 🪄7:30pm //Jacksons Lane, London 🪄🎫 #linkinbio for Tickets!