Freelance Dance Artists' Working Ecology

This report summarises the research activity and findings of a knowledge exchange project.
The project was funded by the British Academy, and was conducted by Karen Wood, dance artist and Assistant Professor
at the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University, with One Dance UK, the UK advocacy body for dance, as the cultural partner. The research was co-produced with 74 freelance dance artists based in the UK. Over 12 months, we surveyed and gathered groups of artists to discuss their working conditions. This report collates the activities and findings, interspersed with practical recommendations for policymakers, arts organisations, venues, education institutions and all who interact with freelance workers.
Three themes emerged: Fair Pay and Contracts, Cross- Organisational and Union Working and Dance’s Value in
Culture and Education. Findings are integrated into discussion of these themes and a list of recommendations accompany these. The report concludes with thoughts on infrastructure
and renumeration.