The Qdos Dance Theatre Company, which was launched 12 years ago, has been awarded £50,000 for 2009 to 2010 and £51,350 for 2010 to 2011 to continue and develop its work.

Qdos specialises in bringing issues that affect young people into the open through a mixture of dance, drama, music and design.

It runs free weekly sessions with groups of young people who create performances with the company.

Qdos also delivers workshops and performances for community groups, public sector organisations, schools and the youth service, led by the company.

Artistic director Anjie Taylor said: "I am so overjoyed. This funding comes at a crucial time for Qdos. In 2008 we are concentrating on developing a sustainable future for the company and this award will help us to realise our full potential.

"I would like to thank the Arts Council, the arts development team at Barnsley Council, Valley Community Centre, and all our partners for their support in attaining this status.

"I am really pleased that we will be able to expand and develop our innovative and unique way of working with the people of Barnsley."

Qdos Dance Theatre, based in the new Barnsley Digital Media Centre, is a registered charity.

All projects are funded either by commissioning partners or by grants from trusts or funding bodies, such as the Arts Council.

Andy Carver, executive director for Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said: "Today we demonstrate our vision for the arts in this region. We believe that as a result of our investment, the arts will be of even higher quality, and accessible to even more people.

"We will create a climate for excellence by focusing our investment in strong and effective arts organisations that will collectively help us to increase attendance and participation in high quality arts, provide greater arts activity in our priority places such as Barnsley, and strengthen the visual arts."

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