Campaigning for Gender Equality
ONGOING
Vincent has long been discussing the choices and issues that confront female practitioners in theatre and performance. VDT strategically and politically champions female practice through its Professional Development activity and Vincent regularly mentors female practitioners through Special Projects. Raising awareness of the need for gender equality both on and off the stage drives much of the company’s activity and Vincent regularly and publicly advocates for equality within the dance sector and beyond.
What are the qualities and preoccupations that distinguish women’s practice? Is there a difference in scale and ambition to our male counterparts? Why aren’t women occupying more executive positions within the cultural sector? Is there real equality in the arts? How do we raise awareness of the particular choices facing female artists working today?
PARENTHOOD & PREGNANCY IN DANCE
Industry research exploring the issues surrounding pregnancy and the subsequent challenges of returning to work for professional dancers and dance companies, written by VDT in collaboration with Dance UK and Creative and Cultural Skills 2008.
THE TABLE
A growing international association of experienced female practitioners, working across disciplines, curated by Charlotte Vincent and Dr Claire MacDonald. The Table hosts opportunities for dialogue, exchange and strategies for survival. The Table website also highlights recent press coverage and national organisations that raise awareness of the issues facing women practitioners today.
THE FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS COLLECTIVE (FCC)
The FCC aims to support, encourage and spearhead work created by female choreographers across the UK.
THE BENCH
A three year programme (starting 2015) that was developed in direct response to serious concerns about the lack of equality currently faced by female choreographers within the contemporary dance sector. The BENCH offered female choreographers working within the UK Arts sector an opportunity to participate in a 9 month programme of training, discussion, debate and mentoring, all within a bespoke and creative framework. Mentors and contributors included: Tamsin Fitzgerald, Kate Flatt, Rosie Kay, Liv Lorent, Sharon Watson and Charlotte Vincent.
The BENCH Programme
The BENCH – Meet the Fellows
FURTHER LINKS DISCUSSING WOMEN IN DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Dance – This Is A Man’s World, THE STAGE, 12 March 2013
Vanishing pointe: where are all the great female choreographers? GUARDIAN, 27 October 2009
Where have all the women choreographers gone? GUARDIAN BLOG, 12 May 2009
Dance world ‘failing to celebrate women, GUARDIAN, 11 May 2009
Dance and Motherhood – A Pregnant Pause? GUARDIAN PROFESSIONAL
Parents in Performing Arts Campaign
Choreographers Rally To Raise Awareness About Gender Inequality in Dance, January 2016
Luke Jennings Dance Critic Take on Female Choreographers, January 2016
English National Ballet Director Tamara Rojo on Ballet ‘Porn’, July 2013
Cloud Dance Festival Gender Debate, January 2016
Charlotte Vincent talks about female issues facing choreographers for Dance UK’s National Choreography Conference
Documentation of A Space For Ideas at The Point in 2009
Notes from MDI’s LEAP Festival In The Balance Debate, Liverpool 2009