DATA BYTE:
2023+ Leadership Transitions
January 10th, 2024
The 2023+ Leadership Transitions Data Byte is the fourth annual study of leadership changes at influential organizations within the international dance industry.
The report details changes among artistic directors, executive directors, resident choreographers, associate artistic directors, and school directors at international and U.S. based dance venues, dance festivals, ballet companies, contemporary/modern companies, and prominent schools/conservatories which occurred in 2023 or have been announced for 2024 and later.
“This year’s Data Byte includes school directors for the first time, aligning with DDP’s continuous effort to expand our analysis of the dance landscape,” said DDP Senior Research Consultant Junyla Silmon. “This year’s report also highlights directors who began as interim/acting directors and are now or will be promoted into a permanent leadership role between 2023 and 2025, acknowledging the importance of tracking leadership changes even on a temporary or interim level, as they can lead to permanent appointments.”
Between the 2022+ and 2023+ Data Bytes, artistic director transitions have increased from 53 to 66 across companies, schools, and venues. In 2022, there were a total of 28 male artistic director appointments and 20 female artistic director appointments. In 2023, there were 41 male artistic directors and 22 female artistic directors announced. Altogether, male artistic director appointments have increased by 46% and female artistic director appointments have increased by 10%.
“The past few years have marked tremendous change in the international leadership landscape at organizations within the dance economy,” said DDP President & Founder Elizabeth ‘Liza’ Yntema. “Leadership appointments are crucial, calculated, and are a direct signal of the organization’s fundamental priorities. DDP will continue to expand our coverage of these shifts in power, as they impact future audiences’ and dancers’ conception of who can run an organization and who will be commissioned to create works going forward.”
For the first time, the 2023 Data Byte also compares yearly changes among executive directors, resident choreographers, and associate artistic directors. From 2022 to 2023, executive director transitions have increased from 21 to 43. In 2022, there were a total of 7 male executive director appointments and 12 female executive director appointments. In 2023, there were 18 male executive directors and 22 female executive directors announced. Altogether, male executive director appointments have increased by 157% and female executive director appointments have increased by 83%.
“There were more female appointments among executive directors (18 male: 22 female), resident choreographers (7 male:11 female), associate artistic directors (0 male: 7 female), and school directors (3 male:17 female). However, artistic director appointments continue to be dominated by men (41 male: 22 female),” said DDP Research Lead Jenna Magrath. “DDP uplifts women within the dance industry through our Women in Dance Leader Board and profiles of female artistic directors, choreographers, as well as set, costume & lighting designers. Our free leadership curriculum, Raising the Barre, continues to drive more women towards artistic directorships at these organizations.”
