Dance on the map

Addressing low levels of pay and reducing dependency on fragile funding regimes are among dance sector needs, identified by Arts Council England (ACE). ‘Dance mapping: a window on dance’, shows that the dance workforce is highly educated (62% hold degrees), and that the number of people studying dance in higher education has increased by more than 97% in the past five years, but almost a quarter (23%) of people who make a living from dance earned under £5,000 in 2008/09. Another worry is dance’s vulnerability to political change, and changes to funding levels, particularly in a recession. However, from 2004 to 2007, overall engagement grew by 79%, the total number of performances grew by 38%, and the total number of education sessions grew by 132%. Caroline Miller, Director of Dance UK told AP that she is “really pleased” that the report has been published adding that “dance is ripe for investment”. Although she echoes the report’s recognition that it is a difficult time to find extra funding, she hopes that it will help dance stay at the forefront of ACE’s plans for the next ten years.