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EMBODIED TRANSFORMATIONS: A NEW EU NETWORK PROJECT FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE

24 Jan 2025

Image Credit: EDN

Why does it matter for the Contemporary Dance Sector to have its own Pan-European Network?

Dance is a fragmented field with an emerging voice in cultural policy and a strong sense of community and belonging. It is an art form that embodies the transformation of our societies today. Dance connects people across borders and bodies, yet the sector often lacks the unified, organised representation needed to advocate for its challenges and opportunities at a European level.

Cultural networks like EDN offer a collective voice that speaks on behalf of the sector’s needs and ambitions. EDN is proud to be a recipient of EU network funding, supporting Embodied Transformations – its fourth EU-funded network project designed to amplify the contemporary dance sector’s role in Europe.

Running from 2025 – 2028, Embodied Transformations aims to empower the sector to connect, expand its discourse, and strengthen its advocacy efforts across Europe. The project is a key initiative to ensure the sustainability and recognition of contemporary dance in European cultural policy.

PROJECT GOALS

  • Fair Working Conditions: Identify models that support sustainable living and working conditions for dance artists and other professionals.
  • Youth and Community Engagement: Investigate innovative approaches to community engagement while addressing youth mental health and wellbeing.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Promote actions that encourage environmental sustainability within the dance sector, reducing its ecological footprint.
  • Global Collaboration: Foster international partnerships and intercultural exchanges through equitable relationships with global dance companies.
  • Digital Innovation: Strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance digital innovation in dance creation, production, and distribution.

SECTOR DIALOGUES

In collaboration with the Performing Arts Coalition – which include EDN, IETM, Circostrada, EFA, and Assitej – the project will host sector dialogues on critical topics such as Cultural Rights, the Future of EU Funding for Culture, and Working Conditions in the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS). These dialogues will provide a platform for exchange and the development of shared strategies for the future.

POLICY COORDINATION

As part of its ongoing commitment to advocacy, Embodied Transformations will facilitate EDN’s active participation in high-level policy discussions coordinated by Culture Action Europe. These discussions will focus on the EU Work Plan for Culture, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other global and regional frameworks that impact the arts.

DANCEEAST

As a proud member of EDN, DanceEast is actively participating in the Embodied Transformations project. Through this initiative, we aim to voice our perspectives, contribute to shaping the future of contemporary dance in Europe, and work collaboratively to advance fair practices, strengthen community engagement, explore digital innovation, support environmental sustainability, and promote global collaboration.

With the continued backing of EU network funding, EDN represents the dance sector in European cultural policy discussions and holds space for today’s dance in the EU development programs.