The situation is clearly very different in the US from Europe where most successful dance companies, both small and large, are heavily dependent on local, regional or national state entities. For instance, taking these numbers as illustrative rather than exact, in the Uk the major companies receive about 30-40% of their income from state subsidies; POB is something like 60 odd %; and i came across a Norwegian modern dance company which received 95% of its income from the State. Yes, 95%.<P>As these figures show the UK is somewhere between the US and the Northern European experience, as in so many spheres of activity. Most European companies also get sponsorship from businesses if they can. For instance Northern Ballet Theatre has established an excellent link with the Halifax Bank (ex Building Society) which may be the most remunerative link with a particular business for any UK dance comapany. <P>A lot of London businesses like to entertain at the ROH. My old company NatWest Bank had two corporate memberships at the ROH which cost £25,000 pa each. In general, UK comapanies are slowly getting used to the idea of commercial sponsorship. On private sponsorship, this is generally tiny, except for the RB which has some private sponsors with very deep pockets. WE have just seen a change in the tax arrangements in the UK to bring us more in line with the US, which may act to help matters, but it will take some time clearly.<P>The advantage of the UK system comapred wth the US experience is that the Arts Council of England and Wales, the main source of finance with its regional relatives, can encourage exciting, but unknown companies to develop.<P>This is all a bit rambling, but my excuse is that it is a big subject. i think I'll shut-up now and respond to any particular questions.<p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited 04-02-2000).]
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