Avant Garde Dance Company

Who we are

Avant Garde is a critically acclaimed company at the forefront of London's innovative Hip hop/Contemporary Dance scene. The company was founded in 2001 and is led by entrepreneur and maverick Artistic Director/CEO and Choreographer Tony Adigun.

Having gained extensive experience in the world of commercial dance, Tony set out to transform a group of hip hop dancers into a unique company that could explore contemporary influences and create an unusual, abstract and artistic practice. The company’s dynamic performances explore a myriad of styles, themes and media, whilst embracing different genres and forms of music, dance, literature, circus and digital work.

AGDC is dedicated to creating and distributing world-class dance with a broad appeal to diverse, intergenerational and multicultural audiences nationally and internationally.

The company is also committed to the learning and participation of young people and provides multiple opportunities for them to engage in the company’s work through formal and informal education and engagement opportunities.

Avant Garde’s work is underpinned by its mission and a number of core values:

Our Mission:

To produce world-class, innovative and inspiring new dance works for diverse audiences, the wider public and the commercial sector, and to be a unique leader in the provision of training and development for young people and emerging dance artists.

Our Values:

Innovation and risk – Constantly evolving, AGDC’s attitude is based around the mantra of ‘innovate, never replicate’. We believe in challenging expectations and taking risks – questioning the status quo and pushing at the boundaries. 


Collaboration – AGDC believes in the importance of sharing experiences and skills with others. We use dance to collaborate with other creative industries, particularly music, fashion and technology. 


Inspiration and transformation – AGDC inspires and is inspired by young people throughout its work. We change young people’s lives through artistic experiences as participants, performers, employees and collaborators. We inspire audiences and transform expectations of what dance can be. 


Diversity and equality – AGDC believes that to be relevant and inspirational relies on diversity and equality of representation in the industry. We are committed to questioning our own work and systems, and those of our stakeholders and partners, to ensure that all people have access to the arts.

Our Goals

Goal One: Create high quality work that is innovative and inspirational

Goal Two: Explore new and distinctive iterations of our work

Goal Three:  Ensure robust governance and financial and managerial best practice

Goal Four:    Consolidate and develop our partnerships

Goal Five: Sustain and develop our audiences and extend our reach

Goal Six:      To deliver learning and participation activities for children and young people