The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the Ontario dance community. As we moved into the recovery phase, we asked the Ontario dance community how the pandemic continued to affect them and their work, how Dance Ontario could support its community through programs, services and advocacy and plan for a sustainable future.

We thank all the dancers, choreographers, teachers, educators, administrators, researchers, artistic directors, studio owners who answered the survey.

Here are the results of the Covid-19 Dance Community Impact Survey:

Summary

  • 43 respondents shared their thoughts with us from September 24 to November10, 2021.
  • Overall, dance practitioners are feeling more optimistic about their careers compared to last year, with 27% feeling positive to very positive (compared to 18% last year), 37% feeling neutral (compared to 31% last year) and 35% feeling negative or very negative (compared to 50% last year).
  • The number one concern for the community continues to be financial stability. An emerging secondary need is maintaining engagement with audiences and students.
  • Digging deeper, we see cancelled and postponed performances and events as well as declining teaching opportunities contributing to these concerns.
  • Implications for Dance Ontario include continued advocacy for arts funding and continued supports and benefits programs and providing opportunities and tools for members to promote their work and connect to audiences.

Results

We asked:

With the ongoing changes and disruptions due to COVID-19, we would like to understand how you are feeling overall about your professional life/dance practice.

Answers:

We asked:

What work-related changes have you experienced as a result of the Covid-19 emergency measures over the last year?

Answers:

We asked:

Were you eligible for any of the following government assistance programs or relief measures below?

Answers:

We asked:

Which government assistance programs have you applied to or plan on applying to?

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We asked:

What is your biggest career-related concern at the moment? Ranked in order where 1 is the most important.

Answers:

#1 concern was Financial Stability;#2 Maintaining engagement from my audiences/students; #3 Staying connected to my community; # 4 Professional Development;#5 Maintaining my dance practice; #6 Staying in shape/maintaining my skills: #7 Navigating digital platforms for sharing and delivering content; and #8 Lack of networking opportunities.

We asked:

What is your comfort level in returning to in-person events (classes, performances, workshops) as the province continues to reopen?

Answers:

We asked:

What government supports would be most beneficial to your/your business/ your organization during the reopening phase?

Answers: