About us

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. Our membership reaches more than 4,500 dance professionals worldwide.

We have more than 35 years’ experience of working to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy dance. This work is also focused on driving excellence in community dance practice. We are inspired by our firm belief that everyone has a right to experience dance.

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Our organisational values

The way we work at People Dancing is defined by our organisational values. These are to strive for:

Excellence – in participation and progression in dance for all
Inclusion – always at the heart of what we do and why we do it
Collaboration – where actions give greater strength and voice to all involved
Openness – in all our working practices.

Our artistic values

These underpin our activities and the way we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. Our artistic values call on us:

To place people, their aspirations, rights and choices at the centre in providing opportunities for individuals and communities to operate creatively and artistically
To respect everyone’s right of equal access to quality experiences in dance of all kinds
Not to be limited by form, style or convention and to embrace digital possibilities
To contribute positively to people’s health and wellbeing, resilience, social relationships and creative learning
To develop dance as an artform, working with highly skilled and professionally developed dance artists and practitioners.

The single most important thing we do

Claire Pring, People Dancing's Summer Intensive 2023. Photo: Rachel Cherry.

Whilst attending People Dancing's Summer Intensive, Dance Specialist, Claire Pring took some time to step back, view her practice and to mull, consider and ask herself some big questions.

Tue 12 Dec 2023: 10:00 - 13:00 UTC in-person

Held in partnership with Déda, Derby. This three-hour in-person event led by Louise Wildish - Head of Inclusion, Liz Clark - Associate Artist for Early Years and Kath Kimber-McTiffen - Sonrisa Arts includes a two hour practical workshop.

Booking now!

Latest digital edition!

Animated Summer 2023
“...all the issues people are experiencing, dance gives voice to that. That’s why it’s important to remember that’s where culture and art stands.”

Contact with consent: online recording

Contact with consent: Exploring autonomy for dancers with additional needs, facilitated by Sali Gresham, delivered in partnership with Sense charity.

This session is for practitioners working within inclusive dance practice but could be a valuable reference for anyone working with non-verbal participants in dance.

This is a recording of a previous online event.

DBS check via the Digital Identity application route

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S) about using the Digital Identity application route when applying for a DBS check.

F-ing Good Zine

F-ing Good Provocation is a zine (project as well as a practice) that celebrates the 20 artists of East and Southeast Asian diaspora involved, who live, create and contribute to the vibrant arts landscape of the UK and beyond.

Read, Watch & Listen: Films

11 Million Reasons to Dance, inspired by Chicago. Photo: Sean Goldthorpe

People Dancing have been involved in making films for 20 years - find some of them here.

Jobs and opportunities

People Dancing in the Summer. Photo: Rachel Cherry.

Here you can browse jobs and opportunities in community and participatory dance.

People Dancing Membership

People Dancing Summer School. Photo: Rachel Cherry

Membership of People Dancing is open to all who support, engage with or have an interest in community and participatory dance. People Dancing Membership reaches more than 4,500 dance professionals worldwide.

Artsmark (for schools)

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

If you are a teacher or an education professional working with early years children and families please visit our Artsmark page for potential activities that support working in schools and nursery settings.

Online learning courses

These online learning courses address a range of subjects that community dance practitioners may wish to learn more about providing dance practitioners with a chance to learn at their own pace, at a time and in a place to suit themselves.

Curated playlists for dance practitioners

People Dancing Music Playlists include; Dance with Older People, Contemporary Dance, Dance for Early Years, South Asian Dance Styles, Lindy Hop, Dance for Parkinson's, Argentine Tango, Creative dance and Bollywood.

Company details

People Dancing is the trading name of the Foundation for Community Dance
Registered Charity no. 328392
Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 2415458
VAT no. 109056137
Registered office: LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RE.

About us

Our organisational values

Our artistic values

Company details

Our funders