Dance is one of humanity’s superpowers, it can be the UK’s too
NYDC rehearsal at Sadler's Wells East 2025, Rich Lakos
Britannia Morton and Sir Alistair Spalding, Co-CEOs
| Sadler’s Wells
Performing arts are the bedrock of the UK’s high growth creative industries. Dance uniquely blends creativity and physical activity, offering every region of the UK a spark for hope, health and prosperity
Dance brings people together. It’s how we celebrate, find joy, connect to our roots and ourselves. It transforms our health and wellbeing and is a powerhouse for our global standing. From ancient rituals to dancehalls, theatres to TikTok; dance tells stories of who we are as individuals, communities and a nation. It’s not surprising that Strictly Come Dancing is one of our most-watched TV shows.
As part of the UK’s performing arts and creative ecosystem, dance fuels long-term economic growth. Artist development programmes nurture future choreographers, technicians, filmmakers and games designers. Our creative industries contribute £124bn annually and sustain 2.4 million jobs.
Dance offers a unique opportunity for a healthy, happy nation. Movement and dance bring £3.49 bn in social value and create £430m in health savings each year, preventing Dementia, diabetes and reducing loneliness1.
Yet, GCSE and A Level performing arts uptake reached a new low in 2024. Since 2010, dance uptake has fallen by 60 per cent at GCSE and 59 per cent at A-level2.
At Sadler’s Wells we’re working to change that – supporting local, regional and national growth and securing the UK's position as a creative leader. There is a lot more we can offer.
We’re innovating to provide free activities for all ages, nurture artists and build sustainable career pathways. This year we opened our fourth theatre, Sadler’s Wells East at East Bank – one of the UK’s fastest-growing creative communities and one of the most ambitious culture and education districts globally3. Collectively, we’re creating 2,500 jobs and generating £1.5bn for east London3, while providing a hub for regional dance companies to learn, create and perform.
Our opening show, Our Mighty Groove, won Best Dance Production at the Black British Theatre Awards, uniting professional dancers and community participants. Quadrophenia – A Mod Ballet, created in its entirety in our new studios – premiered in Plymouth before touring in Edinburgh, Southampton, Salford and has just completed a run on Broadway.
We launched Academy Breakin’ Convention, offering the UK’s first free Level 3 Qualification in hip hop theatre; filling a gap in professional pathways for new artists and entrepreneurs.
Last year, 30,000 people aged 2–90 participated in our programmes across the UK. As the nation’s platform for dance, we commission, produce and share more dance than any other organisation in the world – from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet.
Over half a million people visit our four theatres annually. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally, in over 50 countries.
To continue our investment in the potential of dance, we need strategic public investment: multi-year capital funding; optimised tax reliefs; enabling of cultural philanthropy. We need arts-rich education for all young people and long-term support for National Youth Dance Company, Academy Breakin’ Convention and National Dance CATs.
Dance is universal – enjoyed for tens of thousands of years beyond words, generations and borders. Now is the time to supercharge what dance and the performing arts can offer the UK.
For more information please visit www.sadlerswells.com or contact [email protected].
References
- Sports and Recreation Alliance the-social-value-of-movement-and-dance-2023---full-report-130924155135.pdf
- Campaign for the Arts 2025 GCSE and A-level arts entries fall again, to lowest levels since 2010 | Campaign for the Arts
- UKRI Creative infrastructure cluster in London’s East Bank | InfraPortal
