Professional Artefact Ideas

Although analysis of the data I have been collecting throughout the inquiry process, I have been thinking about possible ideas for my Professional Artefact,

So far, because my inquiry is one involving dancers and dance artists, I am thinking along the lines of something fairly creative. Within the community I am focusing on, ( Ludus Dance - a community based Dance organisation in Lancaster), its users and clients would not lean towards communicating through written page after page of block text. I want to share my research project as a whole with the professional and community dance communities,the process AND the analysis. It seems Dancers tend to communicate through ways other than words, so using one artistic flair and including movement, colour, music, or creative dance related imagery seems logical. In terms of knowing my audience, upon reflection of Ludus as one of my current workplaces, having an audio-visual element to the artefact will most likely appeal to the people who use it. This also will mean the communication I wish to share can reach their on line community via their own website if necessary.

Analysis is suggested there most definitely re - occurring themes to what Dance means to Ludus users, some of these themes are dependant on certain factors, the context of the dance activity its self for example. My artefact needs to show the connection between these themes, but also the connection between each of the users that create the 'community' itself. It seems ones meaning can also constantly develop/change, so somehow representing the idea that every individuals experience of dance is important, and that the meaning of Dance has no solid frameworks on structures that people have to fit in with/to is key.

At the moment my idea is to have recorded material of various Ludus users each connected to each other physically, each person represents one idea as to what Dance's means in this community. They can each then move as they desire, intermingling, but remaining linked in someway (using colourful ribbons to hold between each others hands maybe). Although thinking initially to have the dancers stand in a circle obviously represents the unity within the community, a circular shape is closed, and does not allow for new people (i.e new meaning) to enter this community. Encouraging all walks of life to enage with Dance at Ludus has been a huge theme in my analysis, so perhaps having more of an open ended structure would more accurately represent how my understanding into the meaning for Dance has constantly developed, and taken new direction as the enquiry process has gone along.

The image below takes a similar direction, what do you think? If any of you are dancers, would you feel the same about seeing something creative and visual rather than a leaflet, or text document?

        

Dance Uk- some interesting facts and figures!

Hey guys,

Been looking into evidence of the recent boom in dance media events and compeitions, found some interesting facts from the DanceUK website (DanceUK, 1982).....

Dance and Media:

The Target Group Index (TGI), found that

-'audiences for dance have grown by 13.7% over the last six months'

-'when show on television, dance reaches audiences of 100's of 1,000's'

-'Dance is now the fastest growing Art Form, 13% of the population are now attending dance performances'

-'Strictly Come Dancing is now watched by 10.5 million people'

-According to a survey taken by Barclays, '1 in 10 people last year took up dancing because of the 'Darran Gough Effect'

Also found these facts on learning Dance quite interesting too,

Dance and Education:

-' The numbers of those taking GCSE Dance has increased from 2,752 in 1990 to 6,469 in 2000 (an increase of 235%). In June 2008, 17,855 candidates were entered into GCSE Performing Arts: Dance (source: AQA). On the other hand, those studying dance at AS and A level has increased from 352 in 1990 to 808 in 2000 (an increase of 229%)'.

- 'The number of students taking GCSE dance has increased from 7,003 in 2001, 15,730 in 2005 to 18,866 in 2007' (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance www.aqa.org.uk/index.php)

- 'The number of pupils choosing dance has risen 83% in four years, according to research by the Arts Council. A third of those are boys (http://www.theguardian.co.uk// 14th March 2009'

Source - (Dance UK, 1982)

Interview Reflections

Interview Reflections

Today I have spent the day with Ludus Dance troupe, a community based Dance organisation in Lancaster. Whilst conducting interviews, making observations, filming dancers at work and collaborating chorographical ideas, my understanding into what dance means to Ludus users has developed even more.

Whilst still ‘thinking’ about how best to structure the analysis of my findings, and composing a format with recognised themes and structures, I have made some initial reflections upon the interview process themselves.

 The reflection process have highlighted areas in which my interview preparation lacked a little, and revealed a few ways in which I could have perhaps conducted myself more efficiently or more professionally.

Although initially I had only one officially organised interview, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to talk with members of two dance troupes, one community based and one semi-professional Youth Dance Troupe.

Reflections:

Importance of Setting/Environment – although given the option to use a quiet, uninterrupted office to conduct interviews, I was pleased with the decision to stay in the dance studio itself.  My interpretations were that the respondents felt this was most appropriate, it was a comfortable, recognisable space for them, imposing at atmosphere to speak freely. Casual and friendly approach to the interview – sat on the floor, over lunch time break, this relaxed feel I felt helped to ease the flow of conversation.

Making respondents feeling they are in control  of the conversations direction– not wanting to force answers from respondents, I explained what I was hoping to research, and all students were given the option to contribute or not. Initially, only a few tentative students volunteered, but the nature in which we were speaking with one another meant a gradual migration to the group.

Audio Equipment – thankful to have recorded all responses, as a single researcher feeling the importance of maintaining eye contact, I couldn’t possibly have written field notes that were accurate enough for a well rounded analysis. The audio device was passed between respondents, so people were free to contribute when they felt they wanted to. This also meant I have the data in its rawest form to refer to. Rather than risking evaluating my interpretations of their answers, I can now quote exactly what was said, as well as referring to notes I made on body language, conversational flow, tone of voice, facial expression etc.

Number of Respondents - Although having lots of bodies willing to share their experiences, the situation almost turned into a focus group, all be in unintentionally. Had I had time to plan prior, I may have considered speaking in slightly smaller groups. On the other hand, perhaps the conversation was so fluid due to it being inclusive of everyone from the word go.

Consideration of Age – with speaking to some younger clients of Ludus (18/19), I sensed there may have been an element of them saying ‘what they wanted me to hear’. For future, I would need to explore ways in which to ensure they feel able to express their OWN opinions, regardless of the researchers experience in the topics being explored. In an inquiry of this nature, and with my position as a researcher and a trained dancer myself, this is something I shall have to factor into my analysis.

Unforeseen Time Constraints – my main interview for the day had been scheduled for an hour at the end of the day, unfortunately things overran, and we were left with very little time. The respondent needed to be out of the building by a certain time, so that struck out the factor of interviewing in a familiar space. They were also under time constraints that life brings (family commitments/car parking ticket etc) Respondent proposed conducting interview over a drink -  the atmosphere of being in a pub threw me as bit with regards to maintain a professional and fairly formal approach!  My concern for getting planned questions answered under the time constraints meant it was more difficult to flow with where the conversation was heading. As researchers, adaptability is crucial, hopefully a skill one learns through experiences like this one. Although consideration of the appropriate environment for an interview is important, sometimes circumstances will not allow for it. Getting a successful interview it seems lies with the ability of the research to adapt to where they find themselves, and still manage to get the best out of the individual circumstances.

A personal reflection was how I felt my competency for explaining my role/my purpose of being there/the purpose of the project improved from the beginning to the end of the day. My confidence in explaining what I hope to achieve in providing accurate, ethical researched information for the professional dance sector grew, as did my ability to truthfully re iterate my limits and limited capability as a single researcher.

Profession Audience and Career Implications

I am currently 'in limbo' with my interviewing as my final interview could not be conducted until this weekend, this has however meant the questions I intend to ask have really evolved from spending time finding new and interesting literary articles.

Mina suggested I looked at various reports on the Dance Uk website, browsing the sites homepage has really stimulated my approach to how my professional artifact could benefit and map out a possible route for how my career can continue to develop.

The research I am doing into the meaning of dance has been so revealing, and is fuelling my passion for the subject more than ever. Although at the moment my work involves both performing dance and teaching, I couldn't answer if someone where to ask 'what exactly do you want to do with your career'? Is anyone else in this situation?

I feel the enquiry process itself is linking to my professional practise as it stands right now, but mainly through the communication of a professional artifact, it could help to sculpt and shape insight into potential future roles.

Learning about what Dance means to others, I am sharing in experiences I had never even contemplated before, even with my dance back ground and experience. But how can I communicate to my audience what I have found?!

Possible ideas, leaflets, video clips, images, posters......

Re-calling on past events I have taken part in, how about Flash Mobs? Although I am not wanting to promote Dance as a product so to speak, my research into their purpose suggests these are effective at drawing attention to something with the element of fun and surprise.

Here's a great example, what I noticed was the range of participants, age's, professions etc. Despite the participants being so diverse, somehow Dance, Music, and the element of surprise has brought that whole population together for that moment.

Is there a way I can capture this for my Professional Artefact? As a work in progress perhaps?

Along similar lines, another report on the Dance UK website contains information on how such an organisation goes about campaigning to raise Dances profile.

In this particular report, various famous dancers have got together, with contributions from many dance schools and professional organisations to create a manifesto to get the governments attention on how to change legislation to create conditions dance needs to flourish further.

Although I am by no means attempting to achieve this sort of impact, simply acknowledge the way in which the manifesto itself draws ones attention is really effective.

The link to see it is below, it has lots on information for the whole of the dance industry, lots of you may find some parts useful.

Dance UK Link

New Facebook SIG

Although I was unable to be at the last campus session, I have found posts from Laura, Adesola and Paula relly helpful.

Really wish I could have been there to be able to talk through where I am, and have others opinions on the direction I am heading. I have found even talking things our loud with my family, or peers, or fellow professionals often helps me to see where gaps in the enquiry lie, what is clear, what is more of a 'grey area etc'.

Although Facebook did let us down in the past, the discussions that were developing were really useful. Sharing in SIG's is a part of whats assessed for Module three too, so I have set up another page for us to discuss whatever we feel we need too, without getting too distracted by facebook chat of course!  Please find the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Middlesex-University-BAPP-Page/268455089898820

or alternatively, add me on Facebook, and the link is on my profile.

Sophia Emma Douglas