Dear Vida and everyone, We must applaud all of the excellent representations, like this one, being made to government on behalf of dance. However I would like to suggest that the problem for HE dance is an enormous one that can only be solved by a really big push to bring the media on side. Do they (media and government alike) really understand what our graduates do? I would be amazed if they had the slightest notion. The current media-driven images of dance are governed by entertainment and celebrity models: Strictly, Pineapple and Alistair Macauley's comments on a ballerina's weight can get instant media attention. Who knows about the service to community and education represented by our dance graduates? We also suffer from having few high-profile people to speak up for us. The Education Secretary has had to partially retract on the funding cut for school sports because there are well-known spokespersons for sport. Who of similar standing can speak up for dance?
In the last couple of weeks there have been tevision documentaries on folk dancing in England that have been both entertaining and accessible and I am sure have changed many people's perceptions. We need someone to do the same for HE dance and the activities of its graduates. So please, someone, come up with a project fast!!!
Larraine
Dr Larraine Nicholas
Senior Lecturer
Dance Department
Departmental Disability Coordinator
Michaelis 014
020 8392 3245
________________________________
From: Dance in higher education. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Midgelow Vida [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 December 2010 11:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: HE funding cuts / Foundation for Community Dance Letter
Dear list,
Please see below a message and letter from Ken Bartlet - Foundation for Community Dance.
I am sure you will join me in thanking Ken for this support for Dance in HEd.
Best,
Vida
Vida L. Midgelow, PhD.
Reader, Dance and Performance
Chair, Standing Conference on Dance in Higher Education
Director, The Choreographic Lab
School of the Arts
University of Northampton
Avenue Campus
St. George's Avenue
Northampton
NN2 6JD
email: [log in to unmask]
Dear Vida
Prompted by your letter here is a copy of one I have sent on behalf of the
Foundation to Vince Cable, David Willetts and Ed Vaizey. Whilst not
mentioning yours, I hope you recognise that it certainly supports your
stance.
All best wishes and have a great Christmas and New Year
Ken
Ken Bartlett
Creative Director
Foundation for Community Dance
LCB Depot
31 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1RE
0116 253 3453
[log in to unmask]
Registered Charity no. 328392
Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 2415458
Registered office: LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester.LE1 1RE
>
>
>
>
>
> Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP
> Secretary of State
> Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
> 1 Victoria Street
> London SW1H 0ET
>
> 20 December 2010
>
> Dear Secretary of State
>
> The Arts in Higher Education
>
> As the national development agency for community and participatory
> dance the Foundation for Community Dance is extremely concerned
> about the reports of cuts to arts funding in Higher Education.
>
> You will be aware that dance is the fastest growing art form, with
> an ever increasing audience, in part because of recent television
> programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, in addition to a You Tube
> audience in the tens of millions.
>
> Community dance represents dance activity across the UK that
> actively engages more than 5 million people in dancing and attracts
> an audience of well over 10 million people.
>
> This work is led by professional dancers, leaders and teachers, who
> up till now have benefited from courses in Higher Education which
> have, in turn, given them the skills to make appropriate
> relationships at local and community levels to promote such an
> extensive range of activity.
>
> Our concern is that in cutting funding to an extremely high level
> within the next five years, there will no longer be the people
> being developed and trained to enable us to sustain and further
> develop our industry in what is becoming such an important part of
> our country's cultural life, and the life of those millions of
> participants across the UK.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
>
> Ken Bartlett
> Creative Director
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
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