DANCE/NYC Junior Committee Releases Report on Dance Workforce

Young dance artists, educators and administrators in NYC have hybrid careers and are working across corporate structures, budget categories, and both in and outside of dance, according to "Dance Workforce Census: Earnings Among Individuals, Ages 21 – 35," a new report released by the Dance/NYC's Junior Committee.

The study reports that dance workers earn $28,000 a year, but only 55% of that income comes from work in dance.  The average worker in the sample, age 28 years, holds 4 jobs in dance and at least one outside the sector, most often in restaurant/hospitality, administration or bodywork/fitness.  The majority of workers surveyed are highly educated, with 90 % holding at least a college degree. 

Hourly pay for most part-time and seasonal work in NYC dance begins, on average, at $15/hour.  Full-time dance jobs, only 18% of 1,870 jobs, pay average annual salaries of close to $40,000.

The study, conceived and led by the Dance/NYC Junior Committee, surveyed 1,231 dance workers, ages 21 – 35, who worked in the dance field in 2010 as artists, educators or administrators (including managers, publicists, designers and consultants). 

"The reality of insufficient resources in dance and evidence that dance workers ages 11-35 somehow get by, even thrive, despite the odds, provide little comfort," said Lane Harwell, director of DANCE/NYC. "For the future of the art form, we need to invest and think creatively about how to improve the lives of our workers, establish viable career paths, and nourish future leaders." 

The Dance/NYC Junior Committee is a New York-based community of contemporaries working as dance artists, educators and administrators. The committee's aim is to generate ideas, initiatives, and programs that serve members' common goals and those of Dance/NYC. It strives to strengthen and unite its community, serve as a catalyst for innovation and invention in its work, and reenergize its peer group in a challenging field. The Committee hosts a blog on Dance/NYC's web site (www.dancenyc.com/juniorcommittee.)

Dance/NYC is a branch of Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance. Its mission is to sustain and advance professional dance-serving as the voice, guide, and infrastructure architect for local dance artists and managers.

The full report is available at www.dancenyc.org.

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