Evaluation Title

Dance Included: towards good practice in dance and social inclusion

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative and Quantitative

Evaluation Focus Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of arts-based approaches

Key indicators Best practice review, Relationships with staff

Project outputs Arts-based workshops, Performances

Methodology Case Studies

Summary of evaluation

Intended as a practical tool for organisations and individuals working in dance and social inclusion, covering: planning, partnerships, recruitment and retention of participants, professional development, project activity, evaluation, outcomes and, legacy. It also included a brief evaluation of case studies from the series of ACE funded dance organisations working in a variety of social inclusion settings. – these included Motionhouse, East London Dance and Dance United.

Project description

In 2002, Arts Council England invited applications for Dance Included, an initiative that aimed to explore models of good practice in dance and social exclusion. The Arts Council recognised dance organisations and artists were already working widely in social exclusion settings. Through Dance Included, it therefore intended to add to the existing knowledge of this area in the dance sector.
The successful projects were:
Dancing Inside led by Motionhouse Dance Theatre
Physical Justice – Hook’d led by East London Dance
Third Symphony – Men at War led by Dance United

Time to Dance led by attik dance and Barbican Theatre

The Water Project led by The Place and Cardboard Citizens

Infusion led by tees dance initiative and Dance City.

Each chapter highlights areas of good practice and the challenges that projects faced in their work. This structure provides a clear framework for the issues being considered.


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