People Dancing is the development and membership organisation for community and participatory dance, driving forward inclusion and excellence through professional development, resources & safeguarding services, specialist programmes & networks. It supports a UK-wide network of members - dance artists, practitioners and organisations - who make great dance happen in all its diversity.

People Dancing offers a range of memberships for individual dance artists, teachers and leaders, and for organisations of all sizes.

PD is recruiting!

People Dancing is looking for a Communications & Digital Engagement Officer to help shape and deliver the organisation’s external communications to key stakeholders, People Dancing’s members and wider audiences, in an inclusive and accessible way.

Deadline: 19 Sep 2022

Blog: Dr Sue Smith

A 21st century lifesaver

Dr Sue Smith joins People Dancing as Chair and blogs for us about dance as a 21st Century lifesaver.

Read Sue's blog

Animated magazine

Animated cover image: 11 Million Reasons to Dance: Cymru project, 2021. Photographer: Philip Hatcher

Latest digital edition out now!

“What dance artists offer are spaces of connection in a myriad of wonderful different ways.” Spring/Summer 2022 digital edition of Animated magazine online in a flipbook

Read and download

Investing in your work

People Dancing Summer School. Photo: Rachel Cherry

Investing in your work

As an artist based in England, Liz Clark, our Associate Artist for Early Years, is deeply passionate about Arts Council England’s #LetsCreate strategy that creates fertile ground for the early years artist to get funding and encourages those based in England to seize the moment. Read more on her thoughts here.

Read Liz's blog

Collective IDentity

At the end of 2021 dance artist Danielle Teale reflects upon a multidisciplinary programme for people with Parkinson’s that was experienced during pandemic times and shares her passion for co-creation, a sense of self and love!

Read Danielle's blog

Finding my place

Marcia Edwards introducing site-specific performance at Spaghetti Junction photo by Peter Medlicott

Finding my place

After a wide-ranging career, Marcia Edwards found herself rooted in Stourbridge, West Midlands and embraced this by forming ME Dance Company in 2017. Here, she shares her passion for honouring your roots, appreciating your journey, giving back and striving for more in the communities you come from, live in and want to build for the future.

Read Marcia's blog

Online learning

People Dancing's International Conference, Glasgow. Photo: Rachel Cherry

Improving your teaching skills for community dance practice

This seven-unit online course, developed by People Dancing and co-authored by the Urban Playground Team, aims to support participatory artists to improve their teaching skills.

Learn more

Safeguarding

For individuals

Everyone is responsible for safeguarding, including anyone who works with or around children and/or adults at risk. As a dance practitioner, part of your responsibility is being able to respond safely and well if there is a problem or concern.

Resources and info

Individual artists toolkit

A resource for artists to help them demonstrate the value and impact of participatory arts and develop partnerships for funding work - including a Marketing & Communications pack and a set of Case Studies.

Find out more

New to teaching?

Just graduated? Changing career?

Join People Dancing’s Associate Producer for Change, Louise Katerega, for her top 10 signposts to People Dancing's resources to get you started on a happy, healthy teaching journey.

Top 10 tips!

Diverse opportunities

Melissa Pasut, Returning By Katherine Betteridge and Sioned Roberts. Photographer: Matt Dean.

Diverse opportunities

Whilst looking for alternative ways to navigate a lockdown, freelance artist, Melissa Pasut, discovered the Wales Wide Training Programme. Here she reflects upon her expectations, connections found and virtual interaction that removed geographical boundaries.

Read Melissa's blog

e-news

People Dancing Summer School 2019. Photo: Rachel Cherry

Sign up to some or all of our occasional E-newsletters titles: People Dancing Updates; 11 Million Reasons to Dance Network (inclusive dance); Living well with Parkinson’s; Early Years Dance Network and Jobs E-news

Stay informed

COVID-19

Follow the link to our page of information about Government and public health guidance and other support resources.

Find out more

Latest jobs

Browse the latest jobs and opportunities in dance and post your vacancy at no cost to the advertiser.

Find out more