The Arts Council yesterday announced two major projects which will examine the state of dance in Ireland.
The first tender relates to a study of "the building-based needs" for dance in Cork. It will be undertaken by Richard Wakely, an established theatre and dance producer, and Neil Morton, a performance space architect and consultant with Theatreplan LLP, London .
They will report back to the Arts Council and Cork City Council at the end of June.
According to Michelle Horton of the Arts Council, their study will "look at the built-environment needs of dancers in Cork city and its environs at this time.
"They will provide a range of options for consideration to include specifications on facilities and scale."
In the second tender, Derek Purnell, research consultant and dancer, has been chosen to conduct a study of current classical ballet provision in Ireland.
According to the Arts Council, Mr Purnell will propose a range of options to the council to "sustain and advance classical ballet in the country". He will examine the provision of classical ballet in Ireland with reference to the current level of access.
"Mr Purnell will consult with the dance community, including artists and production companies, policymakers, resource and service organisations, festivals and others with an interest in classical ballet in Ireland. His study will commence immediately, with delivery of his findings to the Arts Council at the end of July 2006," said Ms Horton.
The Arts Council provides funding in the region of €300,000 to classical ballet companies. This is in the context of a total revenue grant spend of €3,318,750 in 2006 on dance organisations.
The Arts Council also supports individual dance artists working in the classical ballet genre through its supports for artists (ie schemes and awards). It administers the Joan Denise Moriarty Award on a biennial basis, for classical ballet dancers and choreographers.
Finola Cronin, dance specialist with the Arts Council, has hailed the move as a great breakthrough for Irish dance. "I think we are all aware in the dance community of how significant this is.
"Last year, we had a new strategy in relation to partnerships for the arts - it is now timely to act on this," she said.
Ms Cronin added the projects would work to try to make dance more accessible to the public.
Derek Purnell was responsible for the relocation of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet to Birmingham and the establishment of Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB).
Neil Morton has led the theatre planning team for the new opera house in Copenhagen and has contributed to option studies for the rebuilding of the opera auditorium in Sydney Opera House.
Mr Wakely is an independent theatre/dance producer and presenter, and has also been the managing director of the Abbey Theatre.