Artist Exchange at B.motion 2022, photo by Anna Kushnirenko

Across the globe, dance organisations and the arts in general are increasingly concerned with environmental sustainability. As part of its EDNext 2022-2024 programme, the European Dancehouse Network has focused on the issue of environmental sustainability in its first year. The research publication "Environmental Sustainability in Contemporary Dance: Emerging Issues, Practises and Recommendations" was commissioned to Jordi Baltà Portolés, who works as a consultant and researcher at Trànsit Projectes, a cultural management company based in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona.

The publication provides the context, references and examples of where and how dance intersects with environmental sustainability, and what kind of strategies can lead to effective action.

Divided into four chapters, the publication first introduces the objectives of the report and the methodology used. In the second chapter, readers will familiarise with key terms and concepts of sustainability and the environment, and why the dance sector should (or should not) engage with environmental sustainability. The third chapter identifies six central thematic areas:

• sustainability narratives and themes in contemporary dance,
• approaches to creation, production and presentation,
• mobility and climate justice,
• transforming organisations to respond to environmental sustainability,
• partnerships and community relations,
• policy and support.

In its final, fourth chapter, the report provides a set of actions to be undertaken by EDN, some general guidelines for EDN members and other dance organisations, and a number of recommendations for public authorities and related bodies at EU, national, regional and local levels.

The publication, together with the EDN Conference 2022 (read more here) is part of the EDN Campaign 2022 “Ecological Perspectives on Contemporary Dance: How Can We Move?”, which presents concrete actions and ideas to engage the contemporary dance sector in Europe, its advocates, funders and stakeholders, in a shared movement towards a sustainable future. The European Dancehouse Network, with endorsement of its 48 members from 27 European countries, has published the advocacy paper available for the international dance field to use in their local, regional and national advocacy work. More information about the campaign and the final document can be found here.