Abstract
Background
The dance workforce plays a central role in delivering arts and health programmes yet there is little exploration of how programme delivery impacts dance artists in a professional or personal capacity. This study explored the experiences of dance artists delivering Dance On, which engages inactive older people 55yrs+.
Methods
Ripple Effects Mapping was used to explore the short- and long term experiences and practices of dance artists delivering a dance programme.
Findings
Two ripples were developed 1) Becoming a specialist 2) Connecting with communities. These ripples highlighted the strengths of the sustained nature of the programme and emphasised the need for ongoing support from employing organisations, communities, and dance artist peers.
Conclusion
This study showcases the central role dance artists play in upholding the outcomes we observe in arts and health work – their role, expertise, and commitment to programmes should be further illuminated and supported through ongoing discourse about their practice.
The dance workforce plays a central role in delivering arts and health programmes yet there is little exploration of how programme delivery impacts dance artists in a professional or personal capacity. This study explored the experiences of dance artists delivering Dance On, which engages inactive older people 55yrs+.
Methods
Ripple Effects Mapping was used to explore the short- and long term experiences and practices of dance artists delivering a dance programme.
Findings
Two ripples were developed 1) Becoming a specialist 2) Connecting with communities. These ripples highlighted the strengths of the sustained nature of the programme and emphasised the need for ongoing support from employing organisations, communities, and dance artist peers.
Conclusion
This study showcases the central role dance artists play in upholding the outcomes we observe in arts and health work – their role, expertise, and commitment to programmes should be further illuminated and supported through ongoing discourse about their practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-17 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Arts & Health |
| Early online date | 3 May 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 May 2024 |
Keywords
- Ripple effects mapping
- dance artists
- participatory evaluation
- arts and health
- older people