State of the dance sector in Quebec

The Regroupement québécois de la danse unveils its 2023 economic study

Dance in Quebec : funding inadequate for a still-growing sector

Montreal, October 18, 2023 – While the cultural season is back in full swing, activity in Quebec’s performing arts has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the return of cultural events and performances, the choreographic arts industry too continues to face significant challenges. While there are signs of recovery and optimism within the industry, serious risks remain. These are the findings of an economic study of Quebec’s dance sector, conducted by AppEco and just unveiled by the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD).

This independent sector analysis unveiled by the RQD was carried out with the financial support of the Quebec government. In particular, it highlights the fact that RQD organizations and professionals have faced significant challenges as a result of the pandemic, and while some have been able to adapt and even grow during this difficult period, uncertainties persist, particularly regarding the future of government assistance programs. Autonomous company revenues remain well below pandemic levels, deficits continue, and rising costs in an inflationary context are weighing on organizations and dance professionals alike.

For the RQD, these findings highlight the need for a post-pandemic revival of the dance sector, and the importance of financial support that would target a better economic health of its organizations as well as its workers. While demonstrating the sector’s socio-economic impact on Quebec society, the study also points to a lack of manpower and less advantageous working conditions.

For the RQD, the dance sector is growing, but is unfortunately undermined by public funding that fails to keep pace or adequately respond to the current needs of the sector’s players.

In 2019, RQD organizations generated over $36 million in total production for Quebec. They also created or maintained over 331 jobs. But by 2022, the cost of hard-to-find space has risen significantly. It is almost 50 % higher than before the pandemic. Both before and after the pandemic, dance organizations remain under, with an average cost-to-revenue ratio of 123% in 2021-2022. Box-office revenues are almost 34% lower in 2022 than in 2019, and the number of tickets sold has fallen by 5%. What’s more, international touring still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels either, even though our Quebec creators have been able to continue creating as much as they did pre-pandemic in 2022, thanks to punctual financial assistance from the Quebec government.

For dance establishments, the labor shortage is hitting hard, with many workers having made the decision to reorient themselves during the pandemic. Dance organizations are struggling to offer competitive salaries and benefits.

According to the RQD, the situation is such that there are concerns about the sustainability of today’s sector and its world-renowned creations. “The sector is even more fragile than it was before the pandemic, and the next two years will be decisive for many of our organizations and artists, as some will not be able to sustain this deficit for so long,” says Nadine Medawar, Executive Director of the RQD.

Impacts of dance on our society

However, culture is our first calling card on the international stage, and dance is an important component of this, exceptionally rich with strong exportable potential due in particular to the absence of language barriers. Dance also contributes to improving society’s health and quality of life, and consequently to reducing associated costs over the long term. For the RQD, the sector is young in Quebec, evolving and growing rapidly. For example, 20 years ago, there were some 30 dance companies in Quebec. Today, that number has doubled to sixty, which is why it’s so important to keep up the momentum.

Over 13% of dance organizations offer dance therapy or adapted dance services, a link that has been forged more and more in recent years through partnerships between the health sector and dance professionals. Dance therapy is known to improve symptoms of chronic disease, musculoskeletal disorders, cancer and psychosocial problems. For practitioners, whether professional or amateur, improved mental and physical health and cognitive development are among the benefits identified.

A global strategy for strengthening

The RQD presented these data to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, who were very receptive. However, it is essential that the Quebec government provide structuring funding for the dance sector if it is to remain competitive on an international scale. Creation with few performers on stage becomes unattractive to presenters, and if our creation budgets, for example, are not doubled, Quebec creations will no longer be of interest and will lose their appeal. As an example, the RQD cites Germany, which recently announced a 20 million euro investment to give its professional dance scene the necessary structuring. This investment will be used to improve dance infrastructure across their country, support their self-employed dance workers and schools, and develop dance dissemination in new German spaces. The needs in Quebec are similar, and if we don’t act to meet them, we’ll quickly lose our place as a world leader. Are we ready to be that bold?

Faced with financial constraints, the RQD recommends that by March 1st 2024 to evaluate and enhance existing grant programs to meet today’s realities, make funding more predictable, in addition to provide targeted support in the face of the identified issues. In addition, aregular and detailed data update is essential to equip the sector for its development, which would enable more efficient strategic planning and resource allocation.

Quote

“The economic study leads us to reinforce our message that, to effectively support our sector, it is essential to assess the impact of existing subsidy programs and adjust them appropriately so that our still-growing sector can continue to remain competitive. Our sector needs more predictability. I urge the government to invest generously in this unique discipline, which is a worldwide ambassador for our Quebec culture. Whether in terms of improving working and creative conditions, teaching, developing the territory or local and international audiences, Quebec’s dance sector needs to be recognized for its current greatness and the investments its sustainability would require. Otherwise, Quebecers will lose many of the creations that reflect who they are and that they appropriate.”

–  Nadine Medawar, Executive Director of the Regroupement québécois de la danse

Please consult the economic study here in french only; english version coming soon.

About the Regroupement québécois de la danse

The Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) brings together and represents all players working in professional dance, with the aim of promoting the advancement and influence of the choreographic art and contributing to the improvement of dance practice conditions.

For information

Myriam Bérubé
TACT
418 717-5627  
mberube@tactconseil.ca

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