News: The new Dance Manifesto
You’re unlikely to ever find them all on the performing on the same stage, but this week ballerina Darcey Bussell, Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and hip hop choreographer Jonzi D came together to present the new Dance Manifesto to the Minister for Culture, David Lammy MP.
They were joined by Alistair Spalding, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells/Chairman of Dance UK, Victoria Todd, Director of the National Campaign for the Arts and Caroline Miller, Director of Dance UK.
The Dance Manifesto has been produced by the National Campaign for the Arts and Dance UK after a six month countrywide consultation process, involving an extensive cross section of individuals and dance organisations. Victoria Todd observed “it is the first time that the British dance industry has united in one voice in pushing for what is needed in order to safeguard and develop dance for the future.”
There are four key ambitions included in the manifesto:
· 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
Following today’s hour-long meeting, ballerina, Darcey Bussell said: “The creation of the Dance Manifesto is an important step forward in the development of dance in this country and I am proud to have been able to present it to the government on behalf of the British dance industry. “
Arlene Phillips commented: “As we have seen with the massive viewer numbers that enjoyed Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Dance Fever, the popularity of dance is on a real roll at the moment. The Dance Manifesto is a very positive move to help even more people to experience and enjoy this most brilliant of artforms.”
Jonzi D added: “Dance is a unifying movement. It can enable all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds to join together in a common language. The initiative of the Dance Manifesto is a positive step forward in promoting this powerful phenomenon.”
Download the manifesto at