Welcome to Census Headquarters. The Dance/NYC Junior Committee is now analyzing the data obtained in its May 2011 survey research initiative: a Dance Workforce Census: Earnings Among Individuals, Ages 21-35, or, for short: the “21-35 Report.”

The Research. Based on survey responses collected in May 2011 from over 1,200 individuals working in the dance field in New York City, findings will describe how a critical segment of the dance workforce is surviving financially. In collaboration with the Bloustein Center for Survey Research at Rutgers University, the Junior Committee designed the survey to aggregate data on the scope of work performed or volunteered by individuals in their relative peer group (ages 21-35) in the year 2010, and the earnings or other benefits with which they were compensated for that work.

The Team. This is an all-volunteer initiative of the Dance/NYC Junior Committee, together with the Bloustein Center for Survey Research (BCSR) at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and under the advisement of Dance/NYC and Dance/USA.

The Intent. The Dance/NYC Junior Committee's intention is to generate proactive dialogue among the communities and individuals that participate in this survey research and to publish results that will serve as a tool for informed decision-making-- on the part of peers, colleagues and employers, and all advocates for dance-- about sustaining long, rewarding careers in the field. This initiative grew from two of the Junior Committee’s primary objectives: to re-energize its peer group in a challenging field, and to help Dance/NYC better serve its demographic.

Next Steps. Guided by preliminary findings, in November 2011 the Committee hosts a roundtable discussion with field leaders and policy researchers to examine the data obtained, inform the course of future Dance/NYC research and identify collaborative steps that may better enable young workers in the dance economy to sustain financial health. In early 2012 the Committee will publish findings at dancenyc.org and continue the conversation at Dance/NYC's 2012 Mid-Season Symposium.

UPDATE. The "21-35 Report" has been published and can be found here, within Dance/NYC Research.

The Bonus. Thanks to our generous sponsors, 5 lucky survey-takers are enjoying the following prizes:

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PARTNERS: