The Working Group, supported by Arts Council England present:

Barriers to Progression & Employment in Dance for Disabled People

Research Tender

Deadline 3 June 2024 - 5pm

In 2019/20, the Diversity Data Report of Arts Council England revealed that disabled people made up just 5% of the workforce of core funded Dance organisations, the lowest percentage against all other artforms. The Department for Work and Pensions estimated that for 2020/21, 24% of the population identify as disabled/have a long-term health condition. In more recent Arts Council England released data for 2020/2021 - 2022/23:

• Only 9% of the workforce are disabled, with 8% being artists

• Only 8.5% of National Lottery Project Grant applicants in dance are from disabled people, compared to 15.6% in theatre and 15.3% in visual arts (2022/23).

The Working Group aims to change this through a new research programme, and by doing so increase disabled representation in dance. Disabled people will continue to have prominent roles as leaders, managers, and artists through our respective companies, but inclusive dance organisations like us cannot work alone to change this landscape. It is our belief that our sector colleagues must implement a meaningful, long-term change programme in better collaboration with us and with each other.

To inform this change programme The Working Group wishes to appoint an independent disabled researcher/s (or co-led with a disabled or person/s with lived experience researcher/leader) or organisation or agency which has a disabled person within the team, to undertake a nationwide investigation that brings together individuals, groups and organisations in the sector to identify systemic barriers that prevent disabled people from entering, sustaining and progressing their careers in the dance sector.

This research is supported by Arts Council England and the overall aim is to gather and analyse current data and evidence so that we can identify and prioritise changes that the sector needs, and develop collaborative and impactful actions, leading to further research and/or projects that will monitor progress of sector change.

To arrange an informal discussion about the brief in the first instance please contact Louise Wildish – Head of Inclusion at People Dancing louise@communitydance.org.uk

This is an audio file about the invitation to tender.

This is a BSL video about the invitation to tender.

Interested candidates are invited to make an expression of interest. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch how they intend to fulfil the brief in person in Leicester in June and or online if more suitable or accessible for selected candidates.

People Dancing is managing the grant funding and contracts on behalf of The Working Group and will oversee administration and financial management.

>> Please complete our Expression of Interest form here

You can also submit a video expression of interest no longer than seven (7) minutes stating how you think you/your team meet the brief. Send MP4 video applications to louise@communitydance.org.uk by the 3 June at 5pm.

If you face barriers in putting forward an expression of interest, or for an informal chat please email Louise Wildish – Head of Inclusion at People Dancing louise@communitydance.org.uk

This is an audio file about how to make an expression of interest.

This is a BSL video about how to make an expression of interest.