Social Impact Report for National Dance Touring Companies

Culture Commons is leading the policy development for a landmark Social Impact Report that will demonstrate the collective value of England’s national dance touring companies.

Overview

Culture Commons is leading the policy work for a major new Social Impact Report bringing together some of the UK’s leading national dance touring companies.

Working with The Audience Agency, we are combining audience intelligence, geographic analysis and policy research to demonstrate how dance touring contributes to priorities including health, education, skills, economic growth and placemaking.

More than an impact report, the project is building a shared evidence base and policy framework that will help reposition dance touring as an essential part of the UK’s cultural infrastructure.

The challenge

National dance touring companies do far more than present performances. They develop talent, inspire young people, support local economies, strengthen communities and bring world-class culture to audiences across the country.

Yet these wider contributions are rarely recognised within public policy. At the same time, rising costs, pressure on venues and changing funding models are placing increasing strain on the touring ecosystem.

Without stronger evidence and a clearer collective voice, it becomes harder to make the case for long-term investment in touring.

Our approach

We are bringing together one of the most comprehensive evidence bases ever assembled on large-scale dance touring in England.

Our work combines policy research, audience analysis, performance and participation data, geographic mapping, stakeholder engagement and interviews with sector leaders to understand the collective contribution of dance touring.

Rather than examining organisations in isolation, we are translating this evidence into policy narratives and practical recommendations that speak to decision-makers across national, regional and local government.

Impact

The project is providing the participating companies with a shared evidence base to strengthen advocacy and demonstrate their collective public value.

Our analysis explores how dance touring expands access to culture, develops creative skills, improves health and wellbeing, supports local growth and strengthens the UK’s international cultural relationships.

A central theme emerging from the research is that dance touring should be understood not simply as moving productions between venues, but as a form of distributed national cultural infrastructure - connecting communities across England to artistic excellence, participation and opportunity.

Beyond the final report, the project aims to lay the foundations for a new national evidence and advocacy infrastructure for dance touring. By developing shared data, common impact frameworks and compelling policy narratives, we hope to strengthen the sector’s ability to influence decision-making for years to come.

Though developed with specific dance touring companies, the project’s legacy is intended to benefit the wider dance ecosystem - from large-scale and mid-scale touring organisations to grassroots companies and independent practitioners across the UK.