How can I find work as a dancer / teacher / choreographer?
Your college should be able to advise you how to look for work that is suitable for your experience and skills.
If you want to work in musical theatre and commercial dance you will find auditions and other jobs in The Stage newspaper (published every Thursday), and through Equity's job information service (for Equity members). Ballet companies sometimes advertise in The Stage too. You might also want to find an Agent by looking in a directory called 'Contacts' (ask at your library), The Stage newspaper, or by contacting Equity.
If you work in independent dance, The Place Dance Services has an auditions and jobs noticeboard based near the box office in The Place Theatre (17 Dukes Road, London, WC1 - nearest underground Euston or King's Cross) which is updated weekly.
What kind of insurance do I need as a dancer / teacher / choreographer?
Dance UK publishes an information sheet on insurance which you can order here, and we run low-cost insurance schemes which our members can join here.
Where can I get advice on contracts and rates of pay?
The Independent Theatre Council (ITC) and Equity both advise on rates of pay and contracts.
Dance UK has a number of publications containing basic advice on contracts. See the Dance UK Shop
You can also get free advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on 020 7396 5100.
How do I go about getting funding for my choreography?
Your first point of contact for information and advice should be your regional arts board if you live in England or your Arts Council if you are based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you want to consider seeking funding from charitable trusts, your local library should have copies of the Directory of Grantmaking Trusts and/or the Arts Funding Guide in its reference section.
Your local authority may also have small project funds available for local work. Contact your Arts Development Officer.
The Place Dance Services publishes a factsheet on raising money from trusts if you are a choreographer or dance company but not yet a charitable organisation. They can also advise on other aspects of making and showing your work. See under The Place on our links pages. Their telephone number is 020 7383 3524. (The factsheet is free to their members.)
Do I need an accountant? If so where can I find one?
Dance UK's information sheet 'to PAYE or not to PAYE' advises on whether you might need an accountant. There is also a section on how to manage your finances in 'The Dancers' Survival Guide'. See the publications pages.
To find an accountant, ask colleagues for their recommendations. You can also look in your Yellow Pages and ring around a few to compare their services and costs in order to find the best deal.