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Dance in Wales branded elitist by report

Eleri Griffiths
BBC News
Aled Llywelyn A group of young people folk dancing on the stage at the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd 2024. They are all in traditional outfits. There is a man and woman on the front of the stage with their hands in the air clapping whilst smiling at each other.Aled Llywelyn
The report says dance in Wales is "elitist, tokenistic and non-diverse" and lacks investment and recognition

Dance in Wales is "elitist, tokenistic and non-diverse" and lacks investment and recognition, a new report has said.

The review, led by consultant and researcher Karen Pimbley, highlighted funding gaps and called for better planning, more community hubs and stronger links with schools to improve the situation.

Some contributors said they feared folk dancing and clogging could disappear without more support.

In response, the Arts Council of Wales has launched an action plan with £350,000 for development in 2025-26, including appointing dance experts, expanding training, improving access and promoting Welsh language and culture.

This report follows similar reviews on folk singing in Wales last week and Ms Pimbley has emphasised the "urgent need for reimagining, rebuilding and reinvesting" in the dance sector.

The Arts Council of Wales commissioned the report, which drew on extensive consultation with dance artists, companies, venues, educators and audiences.

It offered 11 recommendations to tackle funding gaps and improve infrastructure, including:

  • Appointment of a dance specialist to Arts Council of Wales
  • Provide funding for bursaries to enable talented individuals to attend Centres for Advanced Training (CAT)
  • Establish an independent panel to oversee national planning and implementation
  • Develop community hubs to enable collaboration
  • Embed the Welsh language and culture into dance practice
Aled Llywelyn A small group of elderly people folk dancing in a tent at the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd 2024. They are all in traditional outfits. There is a man and woman on the front of the dance floor holding their hands above their shoulders. Behind them are another two couples also holding each others hands. Aled Llywelyn
The report warns that folk dancing is viewed as "old fashioned" instead of a "vibrant representation of Welsh culture"

The report also highlighted that members of the Welsh Folk Dance Society expressed concern that traditional dance had often been overlooked and feared it was seen as "old fashioned" rather than a "vibrant representation of Welsh culture".

It did also highlight traditional dance as having "untapped potential" as a tool for learning Welsh and said Project Eight's two-year plan to promote and celebrate traditional dance was an example of good practice.

ffotoNant A large group of children folk dancing on a stage at the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd 2024. There are a mixture of girls and boys. ffotoNant
The report also says fewer people now compete in clogging and folk dancing

Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales Dafydd Rhys praised the dance community in Wales for its "remarkable resilience in the face of deep structural challenges".

Since the review, Mr Rhys said the organisation had two dance specialists, Emily Bamkole and Julia Sangani, and a "comprehensive action plan" to give dance "the support it deserves".

The Welsh government said it increased Arts Council of Wales funding by 9.2% this year and welcomed its response to the report.