One Dance UK, the sector support organisation for Dance in the UK publishes Movement Beyond Borders – the UK dance sector outlook on Brexit.
A report published today claims that without the right safeguards in place Brexit will have a detrimental effect on Dance in the UK.
96% of One Dance UK’s dance Sector Brexit survey respondents expect Brexit to have an impact on future touring work within the EU.
86% of One Dance UK’s Dance Sector Brexit survey respondents have said that Brexit will affect their UK based work and productions for example by reducing their ability to bring artists and organisations into this country
Insights and impact on Dance
The report is the result of research, conversations and discussions with members and stakeholders that have taken place since the June 2016 EU Referendum, and draws on insights gained through a recent survey of major dance organisations and individual dance artists.
It considers the impact on the entire lifecycle of dance – from education and training, the creative process that leads to new ideas and conception of new work, through to its creation, production, performance and sharing and sets out key learnings and recommendations of how to safeguard the conditions that will allow the UK dance sector to continue to thrive after the UK leaves the EU.
“International cultural exchange is the lifeblood of our art form. That is something that we need to maintain if we want dance to continue to flourish in the UK.” Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive, One Dance UK
Key recommendations
One Dance UK advocates strongly for
- A quick, easy and either no-cost or low-cost, long-duration, multiple-entry visa or work permit arrangement for creative and cultural workers, to ensure continued free movement of people and objects, allowing UK nationals to travel to the EU as well as EEA and visa nationals to continue to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.
- A commitment in real terms and investment in dance education now to foster future generations of UK dance artists to be able to perform at the highly skilled levels required to maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in dance.
- Reciprocal arrangements to enable cultural exchange without increased bureaucracy or cost to organisations touring in Europe, internationally and the UK.
- Special consideration must be given to the significant number of freelance dance artists doing important work in our sector and their ability to move across borders. These workers would not be able to secure a visa without formal employment arrangements.
- An exemption for temporary import of cultural goods, theatrical effects, and any related technical equipment needed for production. Professional equipment as well as sets and costumes etc, temporarily moving across borders must not be subject to burdensome documentation requirements and levies.
- Guaranteed status of EEA migrant workers already in the UK, in both employed and freelance positions, as eligible to remain and work in the UK.
- One Dance UK and arts and cultural sector representatives must be part of the discussions in future negotiations on new international partnerships in a post Brexit world where our sector is concerned.
- Maintain the UK’s participation in EU funding programmes such as Creative Europe, Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ post Brexit.
One Dance UK continues to work tirelessly to represent the needs of the UK dance Sector by engaging with government and policy makers to secure a resilient future for all who work in dance.