20/03/2008
This week's announcement that the government is putting an extra £5.5 million into dance is great news for young people.
Like music, dance offers children opportunities to express their individuality and creativity, as well as providing physical activity, discipline and the chance to work in a team. The Music Manifesto heartily welcomes this commitment from the government.
The news follows a review of youth dance by Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House.
The new money will fund:
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A pilot of dance co-ordinators in schools
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Six new Centres of Advanced Training (CATs)
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A DCMS/DCSF Dance Review Programme Board bringing together dancers, funders and stakeholders
It will also allow Youth Dance England (YDE) to lead on a national youth dance strategy.
Music and dance have many shared objectives when it comes to promoting children's creative capacities. As Sir Ken Robinson said at the Music Manifesto's State of Play conference last year, we should be making 'common cause' across the arts sector to drive creative education in all is forms up the agenda.
We look forward to working with YDE and the Dance Review Board to build on the positive steps that both our sectors are making towards nurturing all our children's talents and aspirations.