The Federation of Scottish Theatre today published the Dance In Scotland report which makes key recommendations to improve the health, happiness and skills of Scotland through dance, and to further the artform.

Based on significant research the report’s main recommendations are that:

1. Everyone in Scotland should have access to a local dance activity.

2. Investment in professional dance needs to be sustained, in order to build new audiences for the future.

3. All children should have access to high quality dance teaching in schools, particularly now that dance is part of the Curriculum for Excellence.

4. More opportunities for specialist training and professional development are needed so that all our talented young dancers, including those with disabilities, can be nurtured and retained in Scotland.

The Dance in Scotland Report makes recommendations that will inform future policy. It highlights the successes, the potential and the needs across the whole gamut of dance activity in Scotland; from dance in the community, dance in schools, professional dance, and training for dance.  The Report aims to raise the profile of Dance in Scotland and to recommend changes and developments which will strengthen and reinforce its place in our society. It is informed by the experience and expertise of Scotland’s dance sector. The Report has significance for other sectors such as health, education and training.

Key Facts:

• 19% per cent of the Scottish adult population or nearly one million people took part in a dance activity in the past 12months.
• More people in Scotland are dancing than playing football.
• It is estimated that Scotland could save £3.5million on the cost of hospital admissions for coronary heart disease, colon cancer and stroke over a five year period if people were more active.
• Scotland’s professional dance companies are now recognised at home and abroad for their excellence and endeavour.
• 250,000 people, or 5% of the Scottish population, were engaged in dance by one of Scotland’s publicly funded dance companies in 2008/09.
• Return on investment is good: In 2008/09 not only did Scotland’s funded dance companies generate over £3million in earned income they also contributed over £5million to other parts of the Scottish economy and helped to generate 500 jobs in other sectors. This more than matched the investment they received in public funding.

Key challenges:

• Only 19 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have Dance Development Officers or equivalent posts delivering dance activity. Thirteen have no such provision.
• Investment in our dance artists needs to continue if we are to ensure that the work audiences are being encouraged to see is of the highest quality.
• There is currently no Standard Grade examination and the Higher Dance Practice is only taken in nine Secondary Schools.
• 84% of girls and 38% of boys would like to take part in dance but 50% of Scotland’s children do not take part in dance at all between P6 and S2.
• There are insufficient schemes which identify and nurture talented individuals towards professional training, and those which do exist are in demand and regularly over-subscribed. After graduation, there are also few formal schemes which support those entering into the professional dance community.

Jon Morgan, Director of Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) which represents dance and theatre organisations across Scotland said:

 “I am delighted that the FST has been able to facilitate the process over the last year leading to this publication.  Considerable research has been done - not only drawing on the views of Scotland’s leading dance artists and companies, but also those of dance teachers and colleges, and youth and community dance groups. 

Scotland is a nation of dancers in all its forms, but there is so much more we can do to get more people into dance and to maximise dance’s contribution to Scotland’s cultural and community life.  We will need the investment of ideas, resources and partnership working and this report sets out the steps to move us in the right direction!”

Andrew Dixon, CEO Creative Scotland said:

“Dance has a critical role to play in realising our ambition for Scotland as a leading creative nation. Scotland has a vibrant dance sector of professional companies, organisations and artists creating opportunities for people to experience dance as audience members and active participants. Creative Scotland welcomes this Dance in Scotland report, compiled with the experience and expertise of so many involved in the dance sector. Creative Scotland will work with partners, particularly in education and health, to achieve our shared ambitions for dancers, choreographers and participants.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs said:

"Dance is great fun and a fantastic way to keep fit. It offers clear benefits for our health and well being and it's really easy to get involved - from traditional ceilidhs to local dance classes, there's something happening in every community in Scotland.

“The Dance in Scotland report chimes with the Scottish Government’s aim to Get Scotland Dancing as part of the Games Legacy for Glasgow 2014. This report tells us that nearly one million people took part in a dance activity in the past 12 months and we want to build on the huge enthusiasm that already exists for dance in Scotland and ensure that more people have the opportunity to participate. We are also committed to supporting Scotland's vibrant dance sector and using dance to promote Scottish culture and creativity on the world stage.”
Please visit the Federation of Scottish Theatre website to view the report.

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