Author: Ellen Chambers

As DCD works with hundreds of dancers each year, it has not been hard to spot that there is a correlation between the point in life when dancers are transitioning and when they are becoming parents.

Parenthood is a huge transition in itself and can present financial, logistical and practical challenges for professional dancers to continue working in the same way. It can be a strong factor in a dancer’s decision to change their working life.

DCD was delighted to recently have been a part of the very first ‘Dance Mama Live!’ event at Sadler’s Wells, hosted by Lucy McCrudden.

This free event was an opportunity for parents in dance to come together (and bring their children along with them) to share experiences, challenges and solutions to maintaining a career in dance alongside parenthood.

DCD are a part of the support available to dancers who are parents or may become parents in the future.

Firstly, to help ensure that dancers can continue performing for as long as it is right for them, regardless of their circumstances. Secondly to ensure that those transitioning within or outside the dance sector have knowledge and access to the best possible conditions for balancing their work and home-life priorities. These factors can allow dancers to reach their true potential in their performance career and beyond.

We are proud to work alongside Dance Mama and Parents in Performing Arts to contribute to this important conversation.

You can read Dance Mama’s blog about the day here: https://www.dancemama.org/post/dance-mama-live

Last week, representatives from 11 countries around the world came together in Warsaw, Poland to discuss support for dancers in career transition.

Hosted by the Polish Career Transition Program for Dancers, this was as part of the annual conference of the International Organisation for the Transition of Professional Dancers (IOTPD) – the international network of organisations dedicated to offering professional dancers the resources and support they need when facing the end of their performance career and preparing to pursue a new career.

DCD is a founding member of the IOTPD and we were delighted to share our expertise on a panel discussing best practice in supporting dancers through career transition from around the world.

There was much discussion during the conference around the unique nature of dancer transition and the parallels that can be found with other fields, including for example, sport and the military. The Dancer Transition Resource Centre in Canada, for example, are looking to pilot their transition model with other artistic mediums such as musicians and actors.

We took inspiration from the range of support being offered to dancers in other countries, such as in house workshops in ballet companies in Germany; transferable skills grants in areas such as web design and virtual reality in Canada; innovative membership structures and grant giving policies in the Netherlands; online resources and webinars in the USA; skills assessments with a psychologist in Switzerland; and career counselling in France.

DCD are pioneers in the sector, being the first transition centre in the world. Due to our unique funding and structure, DCD is able to offer a bespoke range of support programmes, responding specifically to dancers’ needs in the UK.

We’re excited to see more transition centres being set up around the world and to continue to share our expertise.

To find out more go to: https://thedcd.org.uk/support/grants-for-international-dancers/

Today marks 45 years of Dancers’ Career Development supporting dancers in their next steps beyond a professional performance career.

And what better way to celebrate than together with so many our incredible DCD supported dancers at our annual DCD Alumni Celebration drinks in East London last night.

Since DCD was founded, we have supported over 2,500 dancers across the UK, from all genres of dance. As well as supporting independent artists, seven of the UK’s leading dance companies partner with DCD and we continue to be the only organisation of our kind in the UK.

The History

Photo: Peter Williams OBE, (1914-1995) Founder, The Dancers’ Resettlement Fund

The very first meeting of the Trustees of the Dancers Resettlement Fund, as DCD was formerly known, took place on Friday 6 July 1973 – Peter Williams OBE was appointed Chair and Margaret Lawford confirmed as the first Resettlement Officer. The Fund’s Founder Patron was Dame Ninette De Valois.

Peter Williams OBE served on the Arts Council of Great Britain Advisory Committee on Dance from 1965, and an organisation dedicated to supporting dancers at the end of their performing career had been the principal recommendation of the ballet section of the Arts Council’s Opera and Ballet Enquiry 1966-1969. Following the enquiry, the Arts Council of Great Britain and British Actors Equity set up the Dancers’ Resettlement Fund.

The remit of the organisation at that time was to assist dancers employed by revenue funded companies in establishing a new career when they were no longer able to perform professionally.

The Resettlement Fund was the first of its kind and continues to be a blue print for transition programmes for dancers worldwide.

DCD Today

DCD now reaches more dance artists across the UK that ever before. As we look to the next 45 years and beyond we will continue to be revolutionary in our thinking and action as we advocate for the indisputable need for retraining support for professional dancers and the incredible impact that artists have on the world.

We are indebted to all those who have supported DCD since its founding.

If you would like to join us on our journey and help to ensure DCD continues for the next 45 years and beyond, please click here  or drop me a line at jennifer@thedcd.org.uk

A movement is happening in the world of performing arts, and at its front line is the Parents in Performing Arts Campaign. DCD has recently joined them as a proud strategic partner.

In their own words:

“PIPA’s vision is of a world in which carers and parents are able to flourish in the Performing Arts at every stage in their career. The Industry benefits from maintaining a skilled, experienced and varied workforce.

PIPA enables and empowers parents, carers and employers to achieve sustainable change in attitudes and practices in order to attract, support and retain a more diverse and flexible workforce. By working in partnership we raise awareness, find creative solutions and promote best practice in the UK Performing Arts.”

As soon as I heard about PIPA’s work, it immediately resonated with me through the countless conversations I’ve had with dancers who are transitioning or considering transition to better fit with the demands of parenting.

But what if dancers could continue performing longer, if they wanted to, by being better supported and offered more comprehensive provision when they become parents? What if it were easier for them to return to working on stage? And a more suitable lifestyle for their family once they were back on stage?

Solutions are already being discussed and tested by some of the UK’s high-profile arts organisations including the National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and The Royal Shakespeare Company.

DCD attended PiPA’s recent Symposium, where participants from across the preforming arts discussed issues from fostering positive workplace cultures to practical arrangements to enable performers to continue in their careers. We’re also excited to see the results of PiPAs forthcoming research project looking specifically at dance, music and theatre.

To join the movement, or find out more, head to http://www.pipacampaign.com/

Photo credit: PiPA