Professional Membership

Find out more about Professional Membership

Dance Ireland works closely with our members on the development of their career through the various stages, from Early Career to Established Professional. We believe in investing in you, the professional, and your development, which in turn develops the dance sector in Ireland.

Why Become a Member?

To be equipped with knowledge, advice and support for your profession
To connect with a community of professional dance practitioners in Ireland
To develop your career with range of professional development opportunities
To enhance and empower your artistic vision through clinics/working groups

Professional Members benefit from:

Advice on developing your career at national and international level
Support on developing your projects; advice and letters of support (Please note, requests for letters of support must be received at least one week in advance of application deadlines)
Eligible to apply for a range of development awards
Eligible to apply for Dance Ireland Residency Programme
Eligible to apply for New Movements work-in-progress performances
Propose projects such as seminars, events and workshops
Subsidised rates for our training & development programmes
Members' Studio- eligible for free studio space
Access to resource library of dance journals, books and videos
Use of Artists’ Resource Room as meeting space (subject to availability)
Equipment hire at reduced rates
Vote at our AGM
Opportunity to affect change through working groups
Eligible to apply for Certificate for Social Welfare Artist Scheme (more info here)
Member Profile on Dance Ireland website
Dedicated Membership Engagement Officer- artist support sessions available on request
Discounts at select venues and festivals
Receive the latest DI news and exclusive members' opportunities
Receive invitations to members' gatherings and networking events
Support for productions on DI social media

Who is this for?

Early stage Professional – if you are at the beginning of your dance career, and embarking on creating, performing and/or teaching at a professional level
Mid-career Professional –if you are working regularly as a dance artist; you have received funding and produced work- you are known within the dance community
Established Professional – you have a significant body of work as a performer/choreographer/facilitator/dance producer or other dance professional; you are well-known nationally & in receipt of regular funding

View our professional members here

Criteria for Membership:

Must have 3 or more of the following- CV and bio requested for all applicants:

Hold a third level qualification (diploma/degree) in dance or choreography
Have performed/choreographed with a professional dance company
Have evidence of substantial career (10 years within the last 20 years) or body of work in performance or choreography
Have performed in public performances within the last three years
Have choreographed an original work performed in a recognised venue
Have received grant(s) from Arts Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, local authority, other arts funding body for professional dance or choreographic practice (not for undergraduate training)
Have dance work commissioned by Government, public body or arts professional body
Have produced or directed work for an established dance company or festival within the last 3 years
Have substantial career of teaching dance at a vocational level, in a professional establishment
Have up-to-date evidence of maintaining your practice through CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
Hold current membership of a recognised dance teaching certification body (RAD, ISTD, CLRG, TCRG etc)

Applicants who do not meet 3 of these criteria but feel they are suited to professional membership will be assessed on a case by case basis. Please contact Favour on favour.odusola@danceireland.ie for more information.