033/06
21 March 2006
A Positive Start For The Dance Sector
The dance sector and the DCMS today set out the priorities for the Government’s Dance Forum.
The group, which is made up by experts from all areas of the dance sector, is to consider:
- employment issues for dancers,
- continued professional development,
- links between pathways in higher and further education,
- infrastructure,
- the relationship between the commercial and subsidised dance sector,
- education and health.
The Forum will be able to call in specialist advice, and will report to Ministers on a regular basis.
Welcoming the Forum, member Beverley Glean, of Irie! Dance Theatre said:
“To be around the table, engaging with the wider dance sector and other government departments, in shaping a broad and inclusive framework can only be a positive thing for dance enthusiasts through to professionals nationwide.”
Forum member Farooq Chaudhry of Akram Khan Dance Company said:
“Through thoughtful and sensitive discussion the Dance Forum has the collective imagination to position dance in its rightful place in our cultural life. Over the coming months I hope we will negotiate a new pathway for dance where issues of excellence, access and health do not seem a million miles away from each other.”
Key members from the dance sector as well as representatives from Whitehall, contribute to discussions of the Forum on a number of significant issues facing the sector. The Department’s commitments to creating greater access to dance, supporting excellence in the artform and developing the health benefits of dance prompted DCMS to establish the Forum.
Notes to Editors
1. The Forum members are:
Alan Davey – Director of Arts and Culture Directorate, DCMS (chair)
Christopher Bannerman – Middlesex University
Linda Jasper – Youth Dance England
Anthony Bowne – Laban
Alistair Spalding – Sadler’s Wells/Dance UK
Chris Thomson – The Place
Prudence Skene – Rambert Dance Company
Farooq Chaudhry – Akram Khan Dance Company
Beverley Glean – IRIE!
Funmi Adewole – ADAD
Nikki Molloy – Dance4
Christopher Barron – Birmingham Royal Ballet
Jeanette Siddall – Arts Council England
Ian Broadbridge – Department for Education and Skills
Paul Stonebrook– Department of Health
Sarah Songhurst-Thonet – Arts Division, DCMS
2. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport holds lead responsibility for dance as an artform within Government and works in close partnership with Arts Council England to support its development.
3. DCMS’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on Dance was published in 2004.
Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6272
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751 153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200
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