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Dance Manifesto is launched

Earlier this year we ran a story under the heading ‘NCA issues draft Dance Manifesto for comment’ – see story filed 29.03.2006. This month we bring news of the official launch of the Dance Manifesto and news of further developments.

Dance sector takes major political steps forward
In the last fortnight the dance sector has taken two major steps forward in its united efforts to lobby government. The Dance Manifesto which communicates the key ambitions of the dance sector to government was presented to David Lammy MP, the Minister for Culture on 10 July and launched at City Hall during Big Dance on 20 July. Between these two events the inaugural meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Dance Group was held at the Palace of Westminster on 18 July. This is the first time that dance has had a dedicated special interest group in parliament.

30 MPs and Peers have signed-up to the All Party Parliamentary Dance Group pledging their interest in, and support for dance. The group will be chaired by Sir Gerald Kaufman MP, with Frank Doran MP acting as secretary. Dance UK will administrate a programme of events for the group highlighting the excellent and diverse range of dance activity in Britain today.

The Dance Manifesto was produced by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) and Dance UK following a six month consultation process which involved talking to an extensive cross section of individuals and dance organisations.

The four key ambitions stated in the Dance Manifesto are:
● Dance to be supported and developed as an art form
● Dance to be an integral part of every young person’s education
● Dance to be available and affordable for everyone to watch and participate in
● Dance to be a sustainable career with world class training

The Manifesto was presented to David Lammy by a dance delegation including the ballerina Darcey Bussell, choreographer and television presenter Arlene Phillips, producer and choreographer Jonzi D, and Alistair Spalding, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells. They were accompanied by Victoria Todd, former Director of the NCA and Caroline Miller, Director of Dance UK. David Lammy welcomed the Dance Manifesto and the fact that the dance sector was speaking to government with a united voice.

The creation of the Dance Manifesto is the first step in a long term campaign to increase resources and funding for dance. Dance UK and the NCA will be working with their members to use the Manifesto as a tool to influence legislative change. Dance UK is co-ordinating a national campaign targeting MPs and local councillors to raise awareness of the dance organisations and facilities in their constituencies.

As part of Dance Umbrella, Dance UK is organising A Chance for Dance - Be heard not just seen, a two part event focusing on the Dance Manifesto and how it can be used by individuals. The event at the Lilian Baylis Theatre on Wednesday 4 October includes a free training session with a professional lobbyist (3.30 – 6.30pm), followed by a panel debate about the Dance Manifesto from 7.30pm.

Places on the lobbying training course are limited. To book your place for either part of the day call Dance UK 020 7228 4990 or email info@danceuk.org. Dance UK members have priority booking for the training session.

A Chance for Dance – Be heard not just seen The Dance Manifesto Summit Organised by Dance UK, as part of Dance Umbrella 2006
Lilian Baylis Theatre, Wednesday 4 October
Lobbying training session: 3.30 – 6.30pm, FREE
The Dance Manifesto debate: 7.30pm, FREE
To book places call Dance UK, 020 7228 4990 / info@danceuk.org
(Training course places are limited, please book early)

Dance is currently enjoying its highest profile ever. Arts Council figures show dance is the fastest growing art form with over 13 percent of the population now attending dance performances. Over 4.8 million people participate in community dance in England each year and over one million people dance as a fitness activity. Ten million people regularly watched the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and a recent survey of over 50,000 14 year olds showed dance was the second most popular physical activity after football and the most popular activity for girls outside school.

These significant figures are very attractive to politicians and Government has woken-up to the popularity and power of dance. In response, the dance sector has united to speak to Government with one voice and a clear set of ambitions for the industry. These are outlined in the newly launched Dance Manifesto, produced by the National Campaign for the Arts and Dance UK in consultation with the dance sector.

Join Dance UK in a two part event focusing on the Dance Manifesto and how individuals and organisations can use the Dance Manifesto to lobby for increased funds and resources.

A Chance for Dance – Be heard not just seen: The Dance Manifesto Summit at the Lilian Baylis Theatre on Wednesday 4 October 2006 starts with a valuable lobbying training session with Steve Carey, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and a professional lobbyist for the past twenty years. Steve is the Managing Director of Cavendish Corporate Communications Ltd and previously worked for a City financial PR agency and two local authorities. He has over thirty years experience in public affairs and corporate communications as well as experience as a local councillor.

The training session will explore what public affairs or lobbying are, why it is important for the dance sector to be pro-active, who to target and how to most effectively communicate with them. It will also outline political processes and lobbying tools, as well as how umbrella organisations and the creation of the Dance Manifesto can help individuals achieve their own goals. Places on the training course are FREE.

The second part of the day is a panel discussion followed by an open debate on the Dance Manifesto and how the campaign moves forward. Speakers will include a member of parliament; Jane Robinson, Deputy Director of the NCA who will talk about how the campaign for Music Manifesto has progressed; and Caroline Miller, Director of Dance UK, who present a new industry lobbying toolkit. Further speakers to be announced shortly.

Email: rebecca.conway@harlequinfloors.com