Dansateliers received a positive recommendation from the Culture Plan Committee of the Municipality of Rotterdam, but no funding. This is causing significant damage to the cultural infrastructure of the city.
The rich and diverse Rotterdam dance scene is unique; from hip-hop to contemporary, from performance to repertoire and inclusive dance. As a development institution, Dansateliers is responsible for the progression of dance creators, the cradle of Rotterdam and Dutch dance. Without progression, there is no future. We are not giving up and are rolling up our sleeves to preserve art and culture for the future. We call on you to make your voice heard. Please, sign the petition.
Dansateliers means a lot to creators, partners and the field:
Alida Dors
“I owe a lot to Dansateliers. At a point in my development, a moment where I found less support and guidance within the hip-hop scene, Dansateliers place offered me opportunities to rehearse, create short studies, participate in an international residency program (Choreoroam), and create performances. The great thing about this relationship was that it was not exclusive. Additionally, there was a lot of attention to the artistic content discussion about the development of my practice.
Dansateliers has a unique place in the talent development chain with its function and expertise. Where can the talent of today and tomorrow go if Dansateliers were to be cut? Dansateliers is a place where Dutch innovation comes from. Especially now, with the change of management, Dansateliers deserves to be supported.”
Said Kasmi
“We recognise and highly value the role that the Dansateliers foundation plays within the city, within the cultural sector in general, and within dance and talent development in particular. This appreciation is expressed, among other things, through the fact that we have financially supported the foundation for many years within the Culture Plan. This long-term cooperation, within which we jointly work towards the city’s goals, has led to a pleasant and constructive relationship that we cherish.”
Connor Schumacher
“Dansateliers has provided more opportunities for the growth of my artistic practice than I had ever imagined for myself. Not only giving me space to come into intimate contact with myself and others in Rotterdam, but international opportunities in incredibly fruitful research projects that have solidified long last relationships with theater programmers, festivals and museums. These connections have made it possible for me artistically and economically to step out into the dance field as an established artist in the Netherlands. I do not know another dancehouse in the Netherlands that has contributed as much to the expanding body of knowledge of the impact dance can have on every body.”
Dalton Jansen/BlackBirds
“Dansateliers is a place where young, innovative, and pioneering dance creators have the space to develop their own identity. It is crucial that Dansateliers continues to exist in the city of Rotterdam. Many young creators do not know what their signature is, and at Dansateliers, they can freely explore this without having to meet the field’s expectations, which you step into when you start in the production machine of the work field.
It is crucial that Dansateliers remains in the city, to be a stepping stone for those dance creators who do not always want to do big work but perhaps want to work more community-based, like Lloyd Marengo. Especially now that Dansateliers is making a new move with a new artistic head who can make a difference in this.”
RIDCC (Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition)
“Dansateliers offers a unique place in the Rotterdam dance scene. Here, choreographers have the space to experiment, create, and grow in their craft. Additionally, choreographers have the space to not only express their creativity but also to engage in conversation and dialogue with each other. It is a place where artistic growth is central and a breeding ground for innovation where dancers and choreographers can develop both artistically and personally.”
Conny Janssen Danst
“Dansateliers is an important pillar in the talent development chain for young independent creators. For years, Dansateliers and Conny Janssen Danst have been working together within the talent development project Danslokaal, where young creators from Dansateliers can develop new work with the dancers of Conny Janssen Danst. This always results in unexpected, special performances that reflect the new spirit of the times. If Dansateliers cannot fulfill its driving role, it would create a significant gap in this development chain, which is so indispensable for young talent.”
Here is why Dansateliers is important to (some of) our makers:
