Arts Council England publishes research into private dance school sector

Focusing on opportunities for children and young people, the research, carried out by the University of Bedfordshire, looks at where private dance school provision is located, who takes part, the routes available for those who want to progress in dance, and the challenges providers face.

The research found that:

• For children and young people, dance can support confidence, creativity, wellbeing and belonging - not just help prepare for a career.

• Private dance schools are part of a larger and more diverse sector than many thought, with many providers facing growing financial pressures.

• Geography, cost, disability, suitable venues, dance form and access to information and networks can all affect the opportunities available.

This research complements our recently published Creative Young Lives Survey, which explores how children and young people across England engage with arts and culture. Together, they strengthen our understanding of where and how young people take part, as well as where barriers to access remain.

You can read the report, its findings, and Arts Council's response here.

Cate Canniffe, Director, Dance, Arts Council England, said: "It is really exciting to see the scale, diversity and contribution of private dance school provision in England. What stands out is that the offer of dance training is not confined to more affluent areas; it reaches across all communities - though not always evenly - which demonstrates the value of dance across society. And the range of dance on offer is expansive. Dance plays a clear role in young people's lives — whether for enjoyment, health, sociability or as a future career. This research gives us a stronger evidence base from which to listen, learn and build better connections across the wider dance ecology."