An Incomplete List of Things You Need to Make it Work

At the 2012 on the MOVE, conference for emerging dance artists, hosted by the DTRC in Vancouver BC on February 10, I had the pleasure of listening to the Making it Work!  Entrepreneurship 101 panel featuring Moe Brody from Harbour Dance, Kim Sato from Project Soul, Barb Clausen from DanceHouse and moderated by independent dance artist Caroline Liffmann. They spoke about their stories and expertise in the business of dance. Basically they talked about making it work.

on the MOVE - Vancouver 2012
LtoR: Caroline Liffman, Kim Sato, Barb Clausen, Moe Brody / Photographer Rebecca Sellers

They compiled an incomplete list of things you need to make it work:

  • be passionate
  • be extremely articulate
  • learn bookkeeping and accounting skills
  • be a hot dancer
  • have networking skills
  • remember technique
  • do maintain consistent training
  • know how to write an artist statement
  • have a bio on hand
  • know how to communicate, and do communicate!
  • make it a pleasure doing business with you
  • have a current CV on hand
  • make a website
  • be prepared (for auditions, for meetings, for whatever you’re up to)
  • work your marketing skills
  • take time to build up your work experience
  • stay calm- don’t panic!
  • know who you are

The day was entitled Community in Motion and focused on advocacy and being an active and integral part of the dance community at large.

-Kristina Lemieux, Program Coordinator, CADA/BC