One Dance UK's Erin Sanchez speaks at a festival in Poland

On 7 October, One Dance UK’s Manager of Health, Wellbeing, and Perforamance, Erin Sanchez participated in a panel discussion as a part of Ciało/Umysł - International Festival of Dance and Performing Arts in Warsaw, Poland https://cialoumysl.pl/en/main-page/. The panel, titled ‘Well-Being Well-Art Well-Dance’ featured a group of nine panelists representing dance artists, freelancers, researchers and academics, artistic directors, and dance therapists.  

The panelists addressed the following provocation: ‘The artist, often perceived as a figure of stark contrasts, stirs extreme emotions both as an individual and a creator. In contrast, we know less about dance artists; their presence tends to be more subtle. However, they too are not exempt from stereotypes that depict a “true” artist as eccentric, tormented, impassioned, overflowing with profound feelings and melancholy. It’s these traits that garner social recognition and are interpreted as signs of grand genius. While the well-being of spectators has a place in artistic and social discourse, the existence and, critically, the nurturing of a dance artist’s well-being – their work conditions and culture – has largely remained unspoken. In an era marked by exposing repressive situations, we start a conversation centered around the mental health of those who create dance. When does the act of creation transition from being a source of joy and blessing to becoming a curse and source of suffering? What factors stifle free thought and impede creativity? How can we constructively, effectively, and creatively engage with the emerging reality?’  

https://cialoumysl.pl/en/wydarzenie/well-being-well-art-well-dance-discussion-panel/?f=22-c-u-2023-en  

It was a fascinating event and offered valuable insights into the working life of artists and the role of well-being in creative professional’s lives.