Summary of Inquiry Research Findings

Summary of the main project findings and the main benefit that emerged throughout my research:

Throughout this project I have discovered;

• The main areas of law which can potentially affect professional dancers (predominantly), but also choreographers, company directors and arts industry practitioners, such as contract; copyright (intellectual property); employment and claims of negligence (personal injury)
• Further details about the trade union for performers, Equity, and the free legal services it offers to its members
• Professional dancers’ opinions on the support they receive in their current company and how their work environment could be improved through the addition of legal advice and support
• How educating artists and improving advocacy for this topic area needs to be addressed for the benefit of future artists, working in conjunction with organisations like One Dance UK

If I could choose the main benefit that has emerged from my research, I would say that it has given me the opportunity to inform others of how important it is for dancers to be really protected in their workplaces to prevent them from being taken advantage of and treated in a way that falls outside the law. I have been able to highlight how often it seems dancers are mistreated by employers and struggle through the challenges and tests of what can be a ruthless industry. I like to think that this research, if further developed, could offer a voice to dancers who feels misrepresented and desperate for an individual or organisation who is on their side and willing to fight for their wellbeing.