DANCE DATA PROJECT® COLLABORATION WITH BERKELEY HAAS SCHOOL FINDS EQUITABLE LEADERSHIP AT TOP 50 U.S. DANCE VENUES WITH AN AVERAGE OF 45% FEMALE LEADERSHIP

February 5, 2020 | Northfield, Illinois – Dance Data Project® (DDP) today published its ninth study. For this collaboration with the Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership (EGAL) at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, MBA Candidate Patrick Crocker joined DDP in an examination of gender equity in the 50 largest U.S. dance venues. The “Dance Venue Leadership and Programing Report” reveals nearly-complete gender parity at all levels of dance venue leadership. Research indicates that if a venue selects a ballet company led by a woman, the resulting work is more likely to include works choreographed by women. Additionally, DDP determined that venue leadership is consistently equitable among venues of varying size (large, medium and small capacity), as approximately 45% of leadership positions at the venues are engaged by women. The study found no correlation, however, between the equity of dance venue leadership and the equity of ballet company leadership and programing.

“We cannot underestimate the influence of venue leaders,” said Founder and President of DDP Elizabeth “Liza” Yntema, “These individuals manage budgets far exceeding those of ballet companies, and companies are reliant upon venues to showcase their dancers and work. There is therefore ample opportunity for venue leaders to express an expectation of equity.” Isabelle Vail, DDP’s Director of Research added, “Overall, our team is impressed that the venues in this industry have promoted so many women to senior leadership. This is consistent with the leadership of spring/summer dance festivals, for which 60% of artistic directors were women last year. Ballet companies have a long way to go before they achieve a similar scale of leadership equity.”

Patrick Crocker remarked on the study, telling DDP, “I was surprised that gender equity in venue leadership roles was not statistically associated with selection for companies run by women or pieces choreographed by women. One possible explanation is that programatic decision making is so multifaceted and complex that it is easy for gender equity to get lost in the mix. More research is needed, though, to gain better insight into what drives the programing decisions for these venues.” DDP intends to conduct an in-depth investigation of how programatic decisions are made in qualitative follow-up research.

DDP has launched its annual review of ballet company budgets to generate an updated roster of “Top 50” U.S. ballet companies. These companies will be the subject of 2020 reports, which will replicate DDP’s initial research from 2019.

Companies interested in submitting programing and financial data directly to DDP can do so here.

Media Contact: Isabelle Vail | ivail@dancedataproject.com