Working groups
As a professional association for contemporary dance education, Aktion Tanz – Bundesverband Tanz in Bildung und Gesellschaft e. V. works continuously to improve the quality of contemporary dance education in various contexts in Germany. The focus is on addressing current issues and challenges to professional practice. With the Aktion Tanz working groups, a structure has been developed that promotes professional exchange among members and bundles expertise on specific topics and makes it accessible. All members are cordially invited to work within the framework of the working groups, which are each moderated by spokespersons, on topics that they would like to further think about, expand and develop. Impulses for new working groups are also welcome and can be discussed.
On the 23rd of September 2018, initiated by Aktion Tanz – Bundesverband Tanz in Bildung und Gesellschaft e. V. and in cooperation with the German Dance Association, the first exchange of young dance performers between the ages of 15 and 25 took place as part of Tanztreffen der Jugend in Berlin.
The eight founding members, who come from different dance projects and styles, represent the diversity of the young dance scene in Germany.
The aim of the meeting was to create a space for exchange, opinion-forming and co-shaping the dance landscape. The forum, which is open to new members, will continue to develop through regular meetings. Aktion Tanz initiated the project in order to actively involve young voices in decisions and discussions on dance and culture.
The young people meet at different locations to discuss relevant topics and the need for action. Two central focal points are the reduction of fear of contact through the fusion of dance styles and the creation of affordable dance lessons and education opportunities.
The initiative is supported by associations and umbrella organisations as well as by regional dance institutions and festivals in their region. The aim is to establish a nationwide platform for young people to exchange ideas and to support their involvement in dance and education policy. The group can be contacted by e-mail to justit@aktiontanz.de.
Inclusion describes the participation of every human being in culture, education and society, independent of their origin, capacities, religion, gender identity, age […]
In the field of dance and inclusion of Aktion Tanz – Bundesverband Tanz in Bildung und Gesellschaft e. V. there is a focus on the inclusion of motoric, sensorial, cognitive and mental diversities in the field of contemporary dance.
In this context, Aktion Tanz has set itself the task on a content-related and practically progressive basis of helping to develop sensitisation, expertise, methods, qualifications etc. that can establish contemporary dance in production and reception as an inclusive phenomenon. The “Mixed abled dance” working group has developed content, methods and structures for this project with the above-mentioned focus and created a position paper (currently only available in German) that serves as the basis for further work.
The original “Dance and Inclusion” working group was renamed “Mixed abled dance” working group in 2019. We have already agreed for some time that although the term “inclusion” is widely used, it does not reflect the attitude and position that the working group stands for and which is described in the above-mentioned position paper. The term “mixed abled” better expresses that different physicalities are natural and enriching and that access to dance should be open to everyone.
The activities of this working group have been suspended since 2021. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact the office.
The initiative dance and age exists independently since 2016, and since 2019 it is part of a working group within Bundesverband Aktion Tanz e.V. We are a pool of dance makers, producers and networkers who have devoted themselves to dance at an older age. Our aim is to make age(ing) visible in the dance artistic and also the (cultural) educational context and further explore this field. Age has a lot of potential for dance and dance a great potential for creative aging.
Since March 2020 and the effects of the corona pandemic, the challenges of working in dance with elderly people brought up new questions.
If you are interested in participating or have questions, please get in touch with the working group speaker Gordana Ancic: gordana@tanzundtheaterwerkstatt.de
The working group advocates for the establishment of contemporary dance as educational program in kindergarten and in preschool contexts. By means of the quality frameworks of Aktion Tanz, we have worked out the specific elements of early childhood education dancing. We are going to examine topics in-depth like digital space, quality assurance, experiences of working in groups or educational dimensions. Furthermore, we have created a catalogue of interests where you can find e.g. the transition from kindergarten to school, a collection of presentation formats and much more.
During the first lockdown the working group reinvented itself. We are a small group that met every two weeks at the beginning and now on a monthly basis (we work alternatively Fridays and Saturdays via Zoom from 9:00-10:00 to a maximum of 10:30). Preparation, presentation and the protocol go in turns and everyone can introduce their favorite topic. Afterwards we use a Padlet that can be complemented by all members of the working group. We aim at a continuous exchange, yet it is clear that not everyone is always available.
For newcomers we thought they could get the necessary information about the current situation during a premeeting. Thus we expect to enable the inclusion of “new“ members while further developing already discussed topics.
In case you are interested in participating or have questions, please get in touch with the working group speaker Babette Bornemann: schmetterlingswerkstatt@yahoo.de.
Working group meetings will take place on the following dates from 10.00 – 11.00 a.m:
- Saturday, January 25
- Saturday, February 1
- Sunday, March 9
- Sunday, April 6
- Saturday, May 3
The “Dance and School Development” working group focuses on networking and promoting cultural education in the regular education system at general education schools.
The working group thus offers a platform for actors who realise dance projects in schools. This covers both in-class and extracurricular formats in every type of school and for every year group.
The working group is currently implementing TANDEM TANZ – A pilot project for the further training and certification of artists and teachers in tandem using courses, online learning and specific practical projects in two pilot regions.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact the working group spokesperson Anna-Lu Masch: amasch@aktiontanz.de.
The working group “Dance and School Development” regularly invites you to the “Open Forum: A counselling and exchange format – dance in schools” on the 13th of every month at 6 p.m.!
Newcomers and interested parties are welcome to attend with their questions and ideas. The meetings last 90 minutes.
Pre-registration is not required.
The link is and remains the following:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87204076369?pwd=QWZLTXBlSGc0aHZmRlRrWVJZcDE3UT09
Meeting-ID: 381 224 8659
Identification code: 5zhpny