What is my inquiry? What is my practice? How do they link? Why are these questions raised for me?


What is my inquiry?
What is my practice?
How do they link?
Why are these questions raised for me?

My inquiry topic is about ‘What Dance jobs and opportunities are available in the Performing Arts industry and the key factors which can impact employment’. As my practice currently revolves around dance and performance mainly, and I am now at that point within my practice after my college training where I am auditioning for dance jobs and looking for dance opportunities. My topic links well with my practice as I always ask myself what dance jobs are available within the performing arts industry? as I want to know what I am interested in applying and auditioning for. I also want to make sure there are jobs within the industry where I can earn enough money to support myself.

This inquiry topic already stems off so many questions that I am researching into, the main ones being where can I find dance jobs and opportunities? as it is important for me to be looking in the right places to make sure I am discovering enough opportunities for me to go for within the performing arts industry. From this question it made me think about agencies as they are one of the main ways people gain dance opportunities. This made me want to research into what agencies claim to do and their success rates, as this information will determine if I apply or audition for an agency. In the past I have found out about auditions through Web 2.0 such as social media websites, so this will be another area in research into for where I can find dance jobs and opportunities. As stated, another main reason I want to find out what dance jobs and opportunities are available within the performing arts industry is because I want to make sure I am earning enough money, as the dance industry is not always guaranteed jobs every time. So, from this question stems what’s a dancer’s average pay rate and what rights does a dancer have including contracted hours, breaks entitled, safety and security to make sure I am protected against being vulnerable in a working environment, overworking hours and being underpaid? As I’m at the stage in my practice where I want to enter the performing arts industry and become a professional dancer, I would really like to know what I need to be able to gain a job or pursue a job opportunity. Therefore, from this many more questions stem such as do I need any qualifications? And if so what? For what jobs? Teaching? If I teach do I need insurance? What type of insurance? Do I need insurance anyway as a dancer? Do I need qualifications for every job opportunity or is it just based on experience and talent? Do I need experience for a job opportunity? Because if I’m starting out my career I need to start somewhere? So many questions appear but I am hoping I can explore these areas throughout my project as they all contribute towards my practice. My inquiry topic also includes what are the key factors that can impact employment. I feel I need to research into this as there are certain things happening within politics and society that may impact my chances of employment, for example BREXIT may mean dancers will struggle to work abroad due to visas etc. this could mean I could find it difficult to audition/work abroad or others may not be able to gain employment in Britain. Collaborations may prove to be more challenging due to not being able to work with a variety of people etc. Therefore, I would like to carry out some research into if any current affairs or key factors will affect my chances of gaining job opportunities as a dancer.

These types of questions are raised for me as I am new to the professional industry and have only heard information through conversations with people, therefore it will be beneficial for me to research into this inquiry topic and explore these discourses.
If anyone has any information or interest in this post, please feel free to comment as I would love to interact with more of you on my course! 

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