What Brexit means for Dance

One Dance UK, the support organisation for dance in the UK has published Movement Beyond Borders – the UK dance sector outlook on Brexit, following a report claiming that without the right safeguards in place, Brexit will have a detrimental effect on dance in the UK.

One Dance UK’s follow-up report includes the following two key findings:

– 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 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.

One Dance UK’s 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 entirety of dance – from education and training, and the creative process that leads to new ideas and conception of new work, through to creation, production, performance and sharing. It 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.

As a result, One Dance UK advocates strongly for:

– A quick, easy and no- or low-cost, long-duration, multiple-entry visa or work permit arrangement for creative workers, to ensure continued free movement, 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 to and an investment in dance education to foster future generations of UK dance artists to be able to perform at the levels required to maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in dance.

– 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 continues to work 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.