Dance as a tool and artistic expression

An inspiring dance teacher when she was a child determined her choice of profession – Rebecka Strand became a dance teacher herself. Now she is one of the driving forces when it comes to the development of dance in Norrbotten. “I know what dance can mean in a person’s life,” she says.

The dance consultant's mission is to promote the development of dance in the county. In her work, Rebecka Strand will initiate, run and support projects and activities.

The need is great and the task can actually take any amount of time, effort and commitment. To make it more manageable, two main target groups have been defined.

– The focus is partly on children and young people, and partly on those active in the dance field, i.e. dancers, choreographers and dance educators, she says.

Norrbotten was the first county in the country to hire a dance consultant, a collaboration between the then county council and the Swedish Arts Council. This was in the early 1990s. Nearly 30 years later, in 2019, Rebecka Strand took up the position.

“Dance is my main form of expression, it is how I best express thoughts
and emotions,” says dance consultant Rebecka Strand.

Many contact surfaces

The dance consultant belongs to the cultural unit, which is part of the Department for Regional Development in Region Norrbotten. The service is partly financed by government funds through the cultural collaboration model.

The well-worn expression "the spider in the web" is a good description of her role, Rebecka Strand thinks.

– A lot of my job is about making contacts – I act as a link between different actors in society. For example, it could be a school that wants to do a dance project and needs to get in touch with dance teachers or dancers.

Rebecka Strand is often in contact with the county's dance community. She collaborates with everything from cultural coordinators in the municipalities to members of national theater associations and dance consultants in other regions. She mediates job assignments, gives tips on where to apply for grants and gives advice on everything related to dance, both to organizers and dancers, choreographers and companies.

– I have a large network of contacts within the professional dance field, people I can connect with municipalities, schools, cultural schools and others.

Dance for health is a research-based method for strengthening mental health.
health among young people. It is now also used in Norrbotten. Photo: Martin Delafoi.

Inspired to choose a career

She herself started dancing as a child in her hometown of Vilhelmina. At the age of eight, she took a jazz dance course organized by a student association.

– I had inspiring teachers who really lifted us children up. I felt seen, became more confident and grew as a person. It was that experience that made me choose to train as a dance teacher later in life, she says.

After studying dance in the aesthetic program, she moved to Piteå to complete the 4,5-year dance teacher training program at the Academy of Music. An exchange program also allowed her to spend 1,5 years at the Academy of Dance and Circus in Stockholm and a semester in London. She earned her dance pedagogy and Swedish teacher degree in early 2010 and then worked in Stockholm. She then taught at the dance gymnasium and the cultural school, as well as in various dance projects in Piteå, before starting as a dance consultant in the Norrbotten Region.

Creative contexts

She describes her job as stimulating and often fun.

– Being able to be creative together with others is something I really appreciate. Being able to be part of different contexts where we discuss needs and development opportunities. It is incredibly rewarding when a dancer or a municipality comes up with an interesting project idea, which we can work on together and realize.

Rebecka Strand is involved as a partner in several contexts. She also acts as a project manager in a number of initiatives. After the lull caused by the pandemic, work has picked up again, she says, highlighting some of the activities (see fact box below).

She feels she can be involved and make a difference.

– I act as a channel both into and out of the Norrbotten Region. For me, it is important to have a dialogue with those active in dance and to raise their questions and needs in regional conversations and discussions. At the same time, I can convey information, for example what is in the new cultural plan.

The dance initiative's new performance Väven is based on a playful combination
of dance, circus and textile art. Photo: Petra Älvstrand.

New players

Rebecka Strand emphasizes the importance of everyone in society having the opportunity to encounter different art forms.

– There are challenges regarding the dance infrastructure in Norrbotten, linked to the long distances, suitable venues and possible employers. There is development work to be done there, she says.

At the same time, dance as a profession needs to be strengthened.

– There should be an opportunity to work as a professional dancer, choreographer or dance teacher in Norrbotten.

How does dance compare to other artistic expressions?

– Dance has a weaker position than, for example, music, which has a much older tradition in both Norrbotten and the whole country. But over time, new actors and structures have emerged. Today, for example, there are dance activities in most of the county's cultural schools. There is a clear change underway and that is gratifying, she says.

Rebecka Strand after the process screening of the performing arts work Väven.
As a dance consultant, she is pleased with the developments in recent years.
the dance area in the county. Photo: Linnea Nilsson.

Dancing again

Over the years, Rebecka Strand has tried most everything in dance, even though modern dance was her main focus during her studies. Ballet, jazz dance, breakdance and flamenco – she describes herself as an omnivore in the field.

After a few busy toddler years, she was able to resume her own practice this fall.

– Once a week I dance modern dance. Dance is the core of me as a person and the reason why I am passionate about my profession. It's nice to keep that joy and passion alive.

Why is dance important?

– All art forms must be represented in our society, whether we encounter them on stage or practice them ourselves. The combination of the dancer's expression, the music, the light and the movements can provide a strong artistic experience. For practitioners of dance, it is something special to be able to express yourself without words. Being able to use your body and feel safe in it strengthens self-confidence. With the right conditions, it can also create a nice community in a group. Dance strengthens people in a fantastic way!

Text and photo (outdoor photos): Ulrika Englund

Facts

Examples of dance activities in Norrbotten:

• Dance for Health is about promoting mental health among young people through non-demanding dance. The dance consultant and a strategist in culture and health collaborate with the county's municipalities and cultural schools.
• Skapa dans is an event that aims to promote young dancers and choreographers in Norrbotten and create a meeting place for creative creation. It culminates in a jury-judged choreography competition in Boden in October. The winning entry then goes to a national final in Stockholm.
• Dance Development Norrbotten is a three-year collaborative project together with Danscentrum Norr. The aim is to improve the conditions for professional dancers and choreographers to live and work in Norrbotten.
• Residency means that dance artists are allowed to stay in one place for a period of time and immerse themselves artistically. Dance residencies have been held in Kiruna, Jokkmokk, Arjeplog and Moskosel, among others.