Career Development for All Dancers

Jennifer Curry, Executive Director of Dancers’ Career Development, explains why the charity’s services have been more in demand than ever, and shares some exciting opportunities for 2023.

Jennifer Curry

Photo: DCD supported dancer Lindsey Brook

For 50 years, Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) has supported professional dancers to develop sustainable careers beyond the stage. Together with our partners, we design and deliver a range of dynamic and evidence-based career development programmes, all free of charge to all dancers. Our programmes include: oneto-one support conversations; personal and career coaching; retraining bursaries; and our pioneering schools/ conservatoires programme.

DCD believes in the power and potential of all individuals. We see and recognise dancers as unique human beings, with exceptional skills and qualities. We aim to think differently and to foster a culture of commitment to self-development, learning and growth.

DCD supports all dancers in their life-long career development - to upskill, expand knowledge, networks and to drive and maintain creativity.

Thanks to our partners and supporters, DCD was able to be there for all dancers as the sector navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, as demand for one-to-one support increased by 83%; demand for coaching increased by 400%; and the need for urgent financial support doubled.

In recent months, we have seen the need for support return to pandemic levels, in part due to the impact of the rising cost of living crisis on a workforce already experiencing systemic challenges. Over the last 12 months, DCD has delivered over 350 free one-to-one career and personal coaching sessions for dancers and brought together 250 dancers through free digital and in person workshops. 58% of dancers who access our programmes are based outside of London.

The power of conversation: mentoring for dancers.

DCD’s Beyond Dance mentoring programme, in partnership with Moving Ahead, Mission INCLUDE, is the first of its kind in our sector. Launched in 2019, Beyond Dance is a cross-sector mentoring programme that matches current and former professional dancers from diverse dance genres with senior business leaders. All dancers are supported to grow as inclusive leaders and collaborators, and as positive changemakers. Dancer mentees have the opportunity to explore their next steps, within or outside of the dance sector, with somebody by their side.

The intention of this programme was the power and deep humanity that lies within connection and conversation.

DCD, working together with Moving Ahead, operates as a conduit between dancers and professionals outside of the sector – who, through energising, often challenging, but always curious conversation, can support, motivate and inspire.

Each dancer mentee receives:

• Approximately seven mentoring sessions with a senior executive from an industry outside dance (past mentors have included: Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the Financial Times; Diversity Project Leader at IBM; Head of Communications at Ocado)

Aaron 'Shin' Duncan

Photo: Dani Bower for One Dance UK

• Access to three masterclasses on topics like Imposter Syndrome, Leadership, Inclusion and Change with global experts

• A minimum of two networking events (one digital and one in person)

Through this programme, dancers are supported to grow in confidence, develop as leaders and creative collaborators, broaden their horizons, and make connections beyond the world of dance.

A Dancer Mentee who recently completed the programme said “I have learnt that no matter what field the mentor and mentee are in, when two people connect and understand each other and are open to learn from one another, there is a sense of working together as a team. I want to keep and cultivate this feeling for future collaborations. This has made me feel accompanied at many levels.”

Applications open for Beyond Dance 2023

The programme is open to all current and former dancers from every genre, with at least four years' professional performing experience. Our aim is to continue to grow the programme - DCD will offer 40 dancers the opportunity to take part when applications open on 29 April 2023 (International Dance Day).

DCD’s 50th Anniversary

2023 marks DCD’s landmark 50th Anniversary.

DCD was the first retraining programme in the world, founded in 1973. At this transformative time in our history, we stand on the shoulders of those who have stewarded and supported the charity over 50 years, including our partners and supporters.

Our activities will begin in September 2023 and we look forward to imagining, co-creating and celebrating the next chapter of DCD’s story with humanity, courage and most importantly, the individuals who are the heart and soul of DCD: dancers.

Further information

www.thedcd.org.uk

Beyond Dance mentoring programme: www.thedcd.org.uk/dancers/beyond-dance

Calendar of free programmes for all dancers: www.thedcd.org.uk/eventsdeadlines

Aishani Ghosh

Photo: Dani Bower for One Dance UK