Practices of Care and Wellbeing in Contemporary Dance (2024)
by Monica Gillette
This report highlights multiple ways dance contributes to societal wellbeing. It addresses tensions that respond to the strained working conditions in the dance sector and offers recommendations for maintaining a pluralistic and thriving contemporary dance culture.
Nearly 400 participants in EDN's activities throughout the year contributed to the mapping for this report. We are deeply grateful for their insights and contributions.
Co-funded by the European Union
by Alexandra Baybutt
In 2023, nearly 300 professionals from the broader contemporary dance field contributed their thoughts to the question of equity in working conditions. By looking at disabling conditions and systemic barriers, by discussing the periphery-centre binary, and by investigating equity in dance practices and collaboration models, we have collectively moved.
Researcher Alexandra Baybutt has followed the red thread between EDN's activities, capturing the pluralities of our field and the depth of conversation and activity on the topic. The research is informed by dance having methods and needs distinct to those of other art forms. It addresses a shared need to name and rename the key words in power. It describes three key tensions in dance exacerbating inequitable working conditions and introduces tools for organisational and individual reflection. It draws upon examples of good (and bad) practices in professional organisation and communication when trying to create equitable spaces in collaborative settings.
Co-funded by the European Union
by Jordi Baltà Portolés
Across Europe, the dance sector is increasingly concerned with environmental sustainability. This report examines the relationship between environmental sustainability and contemporary dance, focusing on the role of dance development organisations.
Where does dance intersect with environmental sustainability, and what measures can be adopted? The report identifies six thematic areas:
The report also gives some references and examples
for each of these areas to help readers explore the
themes further.
Co-funded by the European Union.
by Fanny Bouquerel and Cristina Farinha
This report investigates the key conditions for more sustainable international relations in the dance field and the way dance contributes to the EU’s external relations.
The collection and analysis of EDN's outreach initiatives illustrate how dance organisations have integrated international reflections into their work and how international collaboration is an integral part of professional and institutional development in the field of dance.
Evidence presented in this report draws on an analysis of initiatives implemented by EDN and its members in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
With the support of: Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, DEN - Dutch national knowledge institute for culture & digitalisation, Dachverband Tanz Deutschland.
by Milica Ilic, Marie Le Sourd and John Ellingsworth
EDN commissioned this report from the cultural mobility information network On the Move. The aim was to observe the patterns, shifts, and enduring inequalities in access to international opportunities and mobility flow in dance.
The report gives an overview of European dance mobility before the pandemic, investigates the latest trends and needs, and formulates recommendations for decision-makers and dance stakeholders.
With the support of: Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, DEN - Dutch national knowledge institute for culture & digitalisation, Dachverband Tanz Deutschland.
by Jordi Baltà Portolés
This report collects some of the existing evidence of the positive impact of dance on health and wellbeing.
Alongside testimonials from artists, the report presents a typology of practices and formulates recommendations for public authorities and the dance sector.
The global pandemic, its management by authorities across Europe, and the concrete impacts on health and mental/physical well-being made clear the necessity of investigating this topic.
With the support of: Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, DEN - Dutch national knowledge institute for culture & digitalisation, Dachverband Tanz Deutschland.
by Marie Fol
This report investigates the artistic dimension of the pandemic-induced digital shift between 2020 and 2021 to better understand what key conditions would enable a value-driven and integrated digital dimension of work for dance makers, dance presenters, and dance audiences.
From the analysis of challenges and needs, EDN provides a series of recommendations, both to the dance field and to policy-makers, to pave the way to new opportunities and (cross) sectoral collaborations.
With the support of: Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, DEN - Dutch national knowledge institute for culture & digitalisation, Dachverband Tanz Deutschland.
by Luisella Carnelli
Together with Fondazione Fitzcarraldo, EDN reports on its survey results "EDN in Times of Covid-19". The report is based on information provided by 38 dancehouses from 23 countries in Europe.
The findings provide good insight into the direct economic impact, adaptation of the dance sector in general, internal management, programming, production, residencies, and their relationships with local communities, artists, and partners, as well as the main challenges ahead.
by Annette van Zwoll
This collection of articles reflects on innovative strategies, new ways of thinking about audiences and ways to establish meaningful relationships with citizens.
Learn more about the recent shifts in perceiving audiences as citizens and how this change can ripple through the entire structure of an organisation.
The publication also gives useful insights into developing stronger connections with young audiences and shares practices for creating contexts for dance in unconventional settings.
by Luisella Carnelli
Between 2018 and 2021, EDN actively sought expertise from research and the cultural sectors to continue to map the dance sector in Europe.
Together with the Fitzcarraldo Foundation, EDN developed data collection and analysis to gain insights into membership benefits and the impact of a pan-European network on a dance organisation's local ecology.