Council & Affinity Group Descriptions

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Dance/USA Councils and Affinity Groups

 

Councils and Affinity Groups give members of Dance/USA an opportunity to discuss current issues and trends in the field and how these issues and trends affect their business. 

Councils and Affinity Groups are not used as a marketplace, but instead as a gathering of industry professionals engaged in peer-to-peer networking, career development, and building a collaborative environment. Agendas are designed by the Council or Affinity Group Chairs, in consultation with members, and are facilitated by the chair. 

Councils

 Agents, Managers, Producers & Promoters Council

  • Members of this council act as Agents, Managers, Producers and/or Promoters in the dance industry. This Council works together and with fellow Dance/USA Councils to keep abreast of issues, strategies, and trends related to touring dance throughout the U.S. and internationally and other topics as determined most useful by its members. Members of this council can also be booking agents housed at a dance company. 

Presenters Council

  • Members of this council act as dance presenters at festivals, colleges, theaters, auditoriums and venues across the United States. This Council exists to provide a forum for peer-to-peer exchanges in issues affecting the touring and presenting of dance, as well as dialogue about issues affecting the broader dance community like innovative ways to be in community and present dance. Other topics are welcome as determined most useful by its members.

Service Organizations Council

  • This Council, composed of administrators and artists whose primary focus is providing services to the dance ecosystem. The Service Orgs council offers opportunities to share best practices and programs, address challenges, create joint programming, garner vital information from specially invited experts, and to network with colleagues from across the country. 

Artistic Directors Council

  • Members of this council act as Artistic Directors or have a similar role at their respective organizations. Members meet regularly to discuss issues in the dance sector related to performer contracts as well as trends in the field related to performance and touring. Other topics are welcome as determined most useful by its members. 

Managers/Executives Council | Budgets of $15 Million and Greater

  • Members of this group include executive managers listed as executive directors, presidents, CEOs or similar titles. Council members discuss topics such as: union labor relations; effective management of supply and demand of their product; artistic ownership, rights, and royalties; fundraising strategies and trends; real estate management; and individual experiences in managing their respective company’s operations. Other topics are welcome as determined most useful by its members.

Managers/Executives Council | Budgets from $3-$14.9 Million

  • Members of this group include executive managers listed as executive directors, presidents, CEOs or similar titles. The purpose of this Council is to discuss common areas of concern and best practices in areas such as governance structure, academies, marketing, development, board relations, production, human resources, technology, etc. Other topics are welcome as determined most useful by its members.

Managers/Executives Council | Budgets from $750,000-$2.9 Million

  • Members of this group include executive managers listed as executive directors, presidents, CEOs or similar titles. The council focuses on issues relating to executive directors’ overall organizational management and development, school enrollment, fundraising, marketing, new technology and other topics as determined most useful by its members.

Managers/Executives Council | Budgets of $749,000 or Less

  • Recognizing the diverse responsibilities of individuals who work in organizations with budgets under $749,000, this council is composed of administrators and artists with managerial responsibilities. This Council is a forum to discuss management issues like limited time and resources, often including the cost-effective application of technology, diversity and accessibility, sustainability, planning for growth, and other topics as determined most useful by its members. 

Affinity Groups

Deaf & Disability Affinity Group

  • The Dance/USA Deaf and Disability Affinity Group exists to increase visibility for the field, to build a stronger awareness of resources (internally and externally) and to share practices. This affinity group is made up of both disabled and nondisabled dance artists, performers, administrators, educators, funders, etc. This group is open to all Dance/USA members. 

Archiving and Preservation Affinity Group 

  • Dance/USA’s Archiving and Preservation Affinity Group is a national network for dance archivists as well as artists, educators, students, or other members of the dance community with an interest in archiving and preservation. The group is open to all Dance/USA Members.

 

The following Affinity Groups are for Dance Companies with budgets of $3 Million and Greater:

 

Production Directors Affinity Group

  • Members of this group discuss trends in technology, designs and other production-related topics as determined most useful by its members. 

Marketing Directors Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group discusses trends in marketing technology, social media, ticket sales, best practices and other related topics as determined most useful by its members.

Development Directors Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group discusses best practices in fundraising, donor relations, database issues and other related topics as determined most useful by its members. 

Company Managers Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group discusses best practices around touring, dancer care, auditions, contracts and other related topics as determined most useful by its members. 

School Directors Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group includes those that work in academies, pre-professional programs and more. The group meets regularly to discuss best practices around policies, handbooks, shifting pedagogies, mental health awareness, trends in language and other related topics as determined most useful by its members.

Community Engagement and Education Directors Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group includes those who work with public schools, community centers and/or recreational programs. They discuss topics such as transportation, fundraising, accessibility, DEI initiatives and other related topics as determined most useful by its members.

CFO Affinity Group

  • This Affinity Group discusses topics such as financial policies, applications, funding, and other related topics as determined most useful by its members.

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To get connected to your Dance/USA Affinity Group or Council, please contact Dance/USA’s Membership Team with “Dance/USA Council/Affinity Group” in the subject line. 

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