The Industry Council for Stage Dance in Denmark (Brancherådet for Scenedans i Danmark) is an association of professional acting people within dance and movement based performing arts in Denmark. The industry council is a hearing party in matters relating to dance and has the right to appoint people for The Representatives at Danish Arts Foundation (the organ who appoint the majority of the members of the Danish Arts Foundation.
The history of the industry council
The industry council came out of the Joint Council for Modern Dance (Fællesrådet for Moderne Dans), which was founded in 2002 and consisted of institutions, stages and organizations in the modern dance environment in Denmark. The joint council’s task was to ensure a high level of information and strengthen the infrastructure within modern dance. The council could act politically if a consensus could be reached on a matter. The council had no board or administration.
The joint council consisted of: 3DK (The Danish Dance Companies: i.a. Next Zone, Aaben Dans), De Frie Koreografer, the Dance Committee of the Danish Actors’ Association, the Association Dans i Uddannelsen, Danseværket, GRAN – theater for dance, Danscenen, the School of Modern Dance, Department of Dance and Theater Studies – University of Copenhagen and Dansens Hus.
At the end of the 00s, some of the institutions withdraw from the Community Council, and a collection of individuals subsequently decided to continue the idea with the unifying for the entire dance community – and founded the Industry Council for Stage Dance. The council was also allowed to maintain the right of appointments and as hearing part, that the joint council previously had.
The industry council had its founding meeting on 9 November 2010 and founding general assembly on 19 February 2011 with the election of the following first board: Paw Petersen (chair), Annika B. Lewis (deputy chair), David C. Price (treasurer), Charlotte Mors, Emma-Cecilia Ajanki, Lisbeth Klixbüll and Lene Bang Henningsen.
The industry council’s vision and 3-point plan
During 2021, the Industry Council has worked with a vision and a 3-point plan, as an expression of what the council is currently working with. These things can and should always be up for discussion and change over time. In the coming years, we would like to work with the following:
The industry council’s vision (2021)
The Industry Council for Stage Dance represents and is the mouthpiece for the entire spectrum of the choreographic field, its performing and creative artists and other actors.
We work to make dance visible in the cultural and political landscape, to increase understanding of dance’s uniqueness and importance, and to create greater visibility and better conditions for the choreographic performing arts. The industry council is stage dance’s continuous political voice and dialogical partner.
The industry council’s 3-point plan (2021)
In 2021, the industry council has been through a revitalization process, and in this connection it was decided to formulate a vision and to create a 3-point plan, where we clarified what we are currently focusing on and will work towards. This plan is subject to change.
- Ensure a sustained and targeted development of state and local political support structures.
- Work for a greater presentation of dance and more co-production opportunities nationally.
- Strengthen the relationship with other industry organisations