After conducting several workshops aimed at new models of management in the field of contemporary dance and new contemporary dance languages, the realization of the Up2DANCE Project (Project code: 2019-1-IT01-KA202-007609/ Project National ID (CUP): G85G19000110006) continued with the third transnational meeting among partners, which was held online, and organized by Magenta Consultoria Projects (Spain).

The meeting was held to monitor the implementation of the project, discuss financial aspects, communication and dissemination of project results, the comparative analysis prepared by Almada - a foundation of the recommendations which will be one of the tangible results of the project, the organization of the next workshop, and upcoming activities.

All the partners were excited to welcome some new additions to the international team – Alessandro Ameli from Balletto di Roma and Joana Casado from Companhia de Dança de Almada.

During the video conference the differences between countries in terms of dance were highlighted. Therefore, it was suggested that the produced documents shall be divided by country.

To address the mismatches between qualification frameworks and contemporary professional figures, it was necessary to study the situation in each of the countries involved in what concerned the different dance professions.

The inquiry by questionnaire applied to the partners of the project allowed the consortium to build a first draft of a comparative analysis of the situation of the professions in each country. This served as a basis to develop the roundtables with national specialists about each professional role.

From these round tables recommendations were drawn according to the debated themes that were considered the most pertinent in each national situation, and we are delighted to share with you some of the highlights.
The main recommendation that came out of the discussions lead during the round tables in Bulgaria, is related to the need that the state categorizes dance artists working in the field of contemporary dance.

In Spain, concerning the needs and competences not covered by the official training system and deficits to be gapped, the main deficits regarding the artists’ situation is the establishment of a proper statute and its regulation. This statute covers different realities going from freelance workers to employees in dancing companies, teachers, directors etc. The regulations also need to cover the transition from the student to the professional world and make that step available for all students.

In Italy, it is necessary to precisely define the roles in question, since they are closely linked to the artistry of the skills required, therefore shaded and enriched by practical experience "in the field", and the current difficulty of the bodies in charge of certifying them.

In Portugal, the only dance profession that is somehow regulated (by the Ministry of Education) is that of the dance teacher, in the educational system. The matters that need to be addressed in order to regulate and bring security to the professional field are: teacher certification for different dance styles and techniques; regulation of the sector concerning different contexts; the regulation for dance schools, particularly during pandemic constrictions; status of the dancer; arts worker status; support for arts and culture: dance.

In Poland the subject has already been addressed concerning the different contexts of intervention – primary dance education; higher education, skills developing, Master vs. Apprentice; structures for dance and choreography development; recognisability of the Dance Art and the choreographer profession status.

The dance professions in the Netherlands are quite regulated through different institutions (Central Register of Higher Education, Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders – NVAO, The Dutch Union for Higher Education, Ministry for Education, Culture and Science) depending on the role and on the context. The problems and needs of the dance field have been studied and discussed a lot in this country, resulting in important documents that can contribute to the development of the field and the unity in the professional world.

Even with a lot of directives and coordination among the many different dance professional players, supported by a strong association culture, many needs and competences not covered by the official training system have been identified.

Despite the differences between the dance field in the different countries, the consortium managed to apply some recommendations to all involved in the project, that will be published and shared with all the stakeholders involved.

What was to come in the implementation of the Up2DANCE Project was the realization of the next Peer Learning Workshop, that was held in Almada, Portugal by Companhia de Dança de Almada from July 5th to July 9th.

The workshop consisted of dance classes, discussions and brainstorming among partners in regards to the professional profiles of the dancer, dance teacher and choreographer.

More details soon!

FOR Up2DANCE
Up2DANCE (2019-2021) is an Erasmus + project aimed at harmonizing knowledge, competencies and skills in the dance profession and dance education at European level. The aim is to increase the mobility of contemporary dance professionals in Europe.

The project is implemented in partnership between Balletto di Roma (Italy), Derida Dance Center (Bulgaria), Polish Dance Theater (Poland), ICK Dans Amsterdam (Netherlands), Companhia de Danca de Almada (Portugal) and Magenta Consultoria Projects (Spain), and is co-financed by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union.

For more information, please follow the official Facebook page of the project, @up2danceproject.