Dance in Scotland an overview to inform and inspire We have always danced in Scotland – it is just part of who we are, an intrinsic part of our cultural identity. 1 Anita Clark, Portfolio Manager for Festivals, Dance and Touring, Creative Scotland We want to get more Scots involved in dance. It’s fun, creative, a great way to keep healthy and can be enjoyed by everyone – even if you’ve never done it before... Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, at the launch of Get Scotland Dancing in October 2010, putting dance at the heart of the Scottish Government’s 2014 Commonwealth Games Legacy Programme. 2 Dance in Scotland This report aims to raise the Some people make dance their job – profile of Dance in Scotland training rigorously to become elite and to recommend changes performers of Ballet, Breakdance, Highland, Tap or Contemporary. They are and developments which will able to grace the stages of Scotland and strengthen and reinforce its place the world. Some people teach dance to in our society. It is informed by others – in schools, at colleges or in the the experience and expertise community. Some people make dance their of Scotland’s dance sector. business – providing the infrastructure that makes dance in Scotland happen. It covers dance in the community, professional dance, dance in schools But not everyone in Scotland is aware and training for dance. It shows how every of what dance can offer them. And not aspect of dance in Scotland is connected everyone lives close enough to dance and mutually dependent. activity. Some just think dance isn’t for them. We all know that dancing is good for you – but did you know that more people in There are many different types of dance. Scotland are dancing than playing football Over 40 styles of dance are offered each or that dance is the second most popular week in classes at Dance Base in cultural activity after reading for pleasure? Edinburgh. Each and every form of dance stimulates the imagination, develops And did you know that more children take physical awareness and agility, brings part in dance outwith school hours than in people together and boosts self-esteem. any other physical activity? Dance is sometimes challenging, People dance for many reasons. For fun, to but it is always rewarding. learn new skills, to keep fit and to socialise. We want to change attitudes about dance. They are wise to do so – dance helps your We want to make sure that all dance heart to work more effectively and makes experiences in Scotland are the very best your muscles and bones stronger. It can they can be – in the classroom, in theatres, also alleviate the symptoms of depression at college and in village halls. We want the and anxiety. benefits of dance to speak for themselves. This is why it is promoted by major UK Dance can change people’s lives charities such as MIND, Diabetes UK and – we need you to help spread the British Heart Foundation. the word. 3 Dance in Scotland This report highlights several challenges 3 All children should have access to high which will need to be addressed if dance in quality dance teaching in schools, Scotland is to thrive. We recommend the particularly now that dance is part following as priorities: of the Curriculum for Excellence. 1 Everyone in Scotland should have access We recommend that: to a local dance activity. > those training to teach Physical Education We recommend that: and to become primary school teachers > every local authority region in Scotland have the opportunity to work closely should have a fully supported Dance with the professional dance sector to Development Artist, or equivalent strengthen their understanding of, interest community dance initiative, helping in and ability to deliver, the Dance curriculum. to provide a country-wide programme > Partnerships are strengthened between of co-ordinated, high quality dance local authorities, schools and the Scottish experiences for people of all ages dance community to enable more young and abilities. people in schools – and their teachers – to work with professional dance artists, 2 Investment in professional dance needs and to recognise dance as a valuable tool to be sustained so we can build new for learning. audiences for the future. > a post graduate degree in education in We recommend that: Dance is developed and delivered in at least > partnerships develop between dance one of Scotland’s universities – qualifying venues and producers to encourage teachers to teach Dance in secondary more audiences across Scotland to schools. experience the excitement, power and emotion of a live dance performance, 4 More opportunities for specialist training and to help overcome perceptions that and professional development are needed dance is difficult, inaccessible and so that all our talented young dancers, “not for me”. including those with disabilities, can be > investment continues to be made in nurtured and retained in Scotland. our professional dance artists, providing We recommend that: them with opportunities, networks and the > the current provision of dance training and infrastructure to create the highest quality talent development pathways in Scotland is productions for audiences. reviewed so we can be sure that we are offering and promoting the best and most accessible training opportunities to all our young dancers. > we strengthen the opportunities for graduates leaving Scotland’s dance colleges to help them integrate into the professional dance community and to support their continued training and development. 5 dance as a sporting activity is more popular than football Scottish Household Survey 2009 Dance in Scotland 1 Participation and Access – Dance in the Community Everyone in Scotland should have access to a local dance activity. “Last year, a qualified dance teacher introduced dance classes to the Isle of Lewis. I thought I would give it a go, to get me out the house, lose a bit of weight, and generally for enjoyment. I haven’t looked back since, I love it!” 3 Dancing makes people happy. It can be undertaken by anyone of any age or ability. Even the simplest of dance moves can help to improve fitness levels, balance, muscle tone and co-ordination, as well as lifting the spirits and providing valuable social interaction. People in Scotland are dancing: Dance is the second most popular cultural activity amongst Scottish adults after reading. Nineteen per cent of the Scottish adult population, or nearly one million people, took part in a dance activity in the past 12 months. 4 Dance as a sporting activity is more popular than football. 5 Our research shows that at least 100,000 people each year are taking part in dance classes offered by Scotland’s dance centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. 6 A further 52,000 people are involved in dance activity that is offered across the country by Scotland’s dance companies and artists. 7 One-off projects, such as the Body Currents project offered in the Highlands by Eden Court Theatre and Plan B dance company, involved nearly 25,000 young people in dance activities during 2009/10. Each weekend, 40 children aged 5 – 12 attend a ‘dance party’ at Macrobert, Scotland’s venue for children and young people in Stirling. The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust engage nearly 15,000 people of all ages and abilities in a traditional dance workshop, ceilidh or performance each year. The Council for Dance Education and Training has over 1,600 Scottish-based teachers within its membership, many of whom will teach a variety of different dance styles in private dance schools. Between them, these teachers are estimated to be reaching at least 800,000 people each year. 8 Dance classes run by SkyeDance are regularly over-subscribed with many people travelling for over an hour to attend each week. And we have also seen over 300 couples dancing in George Square in Glasgow, winning the record for the world’s biggest tea dance. 9 7 Dance in Scotland 1 Participation and Access – Dance in the Community There are good reasons to get more people dancing: More than 2,000 people in Scotland die each year from inactivity. 10 Scotland faces a larger increase in the number of people aged 65 and over than the rest of the UK . But only 23% of men and 16% of women aged 65–75 are achieving the recommended 30 minutes of exercise each day. 11 In addition, 7% of men and 6% of women in Scotland are living with coronary heart disease (CHD) 12 . CHD is a preventable disease and physical inactivity is a major contributing risk factor. Scottish people need to achieve a healthier lifestyle and dance can be part of the solution. The benefits for those who participate in dance speak for themselves: “In Inverness, a 10-year-old girl felt unhappy with herself – poor self-esteem, low self-confidence due to be being very slightly overweight but also not ‘cool’, and was therefore excluded by her peers at school. She came to classes, improved her own body image, gained confidence through performing at showcases, made new friends outside school. She is now 17 and is still coming to classes regularly.” Louise Marshall, Dance Artist, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness A recent study at the University of Strathclyde, in association with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, found that Scottish Country dancing had ‘extensive and measurable fitness benefits for older people’ . It found that dancers aged 6 0–85 who perform Strathspeys, jigs and reels, are more agile, have stronger legs and can walk more briskly than people of the same age who take part in other forms of exercise.