Dance Training Support Program

. Program description

The Dance Training Support Program is an essential tool for improving the socio-economic conditions of dancers, choreographers and rehearsal directors.

Since 1994, the Program has been helping active dancers – and since 2021, choreographers and rehearsal directors – to cover part of the cost of dance training, an essential condition for practicing their profession, whether they are rehearsing, performing [1], unemployed or or between jobs. Financial support is provided in the form of direct reimbursements upon submission of training receipts.

The program aims to :

• Support physical training efforts to meet the demands of being a performer, choreographer or rehearsal director
• Alleviate the financial burden of training activities on individuals in these professions.
• Maintain a level of excellence and optimal employability conditions in the field
• Prevent or reduce the risk of injury.

• 2. Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Program, performers, choreographers and rehearsal directors must :

• Be an RQD member in good standing at the time of applying for eligibility*.
• Submit a new eligibility application every time membership is renewed, using the RQD membership form**.
• Meet the eligibility requirements for their membership category (ref. 2.1).
• Submit the required supporting documents via the membership form (ref. 2.1).
• Meet the residency requirement requested by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, which stipulates the need for: Canadian citizenship or permanent residency within the meaning of section 2 (1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In both cases, you must be ordinarily resident in Quebec and have resided there for the past 12 months. If you have been residing outside Quebec for two years or more, you are not eligible, unless you retain your Quebec resident status. In this case, you must confirm your participation in the Quebec Health Insurance Plan to prove your eligibility.

*Performers, choreographers and rehearsal directors can apply for the program as soon as they are admitted as members of the RQD.

**Upon renewal of membership, the member is eligible for the program from the date of receipt of the confirmation of eligibility. Members must have renewed their membership by their annual renewal date to avoid any interruption in claims processing. Training expenses incurred between the end of membership and the renewal date are not refundable.

2.1 Admission requirements

2.1.1 Apprentice member

To have completed, between 2019-2024, initial dance training in a higher-level training institution or training deemed equivalent. Please refer to the document outlining equivalencies for this requirement.

Supporting documents to be provided:

– Copy of diploma, or attestation of college studies, or transcript confirming graduation,

OR

– Proof of equivalent training, detailing courses and internships completed.

Please note that in accordance with the RQD membership policy, a member can only remain a trainee for 4 years from the date of joining.

2.1.2 Individual or corporate professional member

• Cumulate, between 2019-2024, a minimum of eight (8) paid[2] and professional dance performances,[1] including cancelled contracts[3].

OR

• Accumulate, between 2019-2024 , a minimum of 200 paid hours of work as a dance performer, choreographer or rehearsal director in a research, creation or revival context that has not led to public performances.

Supporting documents :

• Provide copies of letters of agreement or signed contracts as proof of eligibility. [Proof of intent to engage (e-mail exchanges) is accepted in the same way as the usual proof of engagement (contracts, letters of agreement) [4].

3. Special cases

Individual or corporate professional members who receive training support from their employer on a regular basis (financial support or classes) are eligible for the Program and may request reimbursement for training activities not covered by their employer.

Supporting documents :

• A signed contract or a certificate from the employer detailing the training covered or financial support provided.

Individual or corporate professional members who are inactive, e.g. due to a prolonged work stoppage, may be eligible for the program on a case-by-case basis.

4. Types of training reimbursed

The program reimburses physical training expenses related to professional dancing.

The following are eligible for reimbursement: classes, internships, subscriptions and training programs taken in person, online, from Quebec, Canada or anywhere in the world.

Please note that classes, internships or subscriptions that are already subsidized by a government body are not eligible for reimbursement.

Voluntary contributions or payments exceeding the required amount will not be reimbursed.