Council wants VAT on dance schools removed

The Malta Dance Council intends to work on trying to obtain VAT exemption for dance schools, committee member Justin Roy Barker said.

Dance, he said, was a form of education and a cultural activity, both of which called for VAT exemption.

The removal of VAT would benefit parents and dance schools would be cheaper, which would translate into more accessibility for everybody, Mr Barker argued, stressing the importance of dance in life.

It was, after all, an important distraction for today`s youths, a way of burning up energy and another creative outlet, which required every form of incentive to be encouraged.

The council was, however, still considering its line of action to put pressure on the government to remove VAT.

Mr Barker said the local scene lacked a national dance company, the need for which was sorely felt. Local dancers had no goal to advance to and those of high standards had to go abroad if they wanted to take up dance professionally. They could train to a certain level, but the road they ventured down was ultimately a dead end, Mr Barker said.

A national dance company funded by the government would provide dancers with something to work for. They would be able to embark on a dance career, perform regularly and earn a living out of it.

As it was, most dancers had full-time jobs, or studied and could never be completely dedicated to their passion.

Maltese dancers were highly talented, said Mr Barker, expressing his "pleasant surprise" when he arrived in Malta from the UK, where he trained as a professional dancer, 13 years ago.

However, "for a dancer, who wants to focus on dance and not teaching, or choreography like myself, it is difficult."

A national dance company would tour overseas, placing Malta on the dance map.

Although there were a number of dance companies in Malta, they barely had any money, and had high expenses: lighting for the latest YADA Dance Company show cost Lm7,000, and the 700 costumes cost around Lm6,000. These were the costs schools and dance companies were faced with, Mr Barker said.

Another idea would be to set up a national dance school, which dancers could attend after auditioning and they could then be accepted into the national dance company - as was the case overseas.

The Dance Council intended to raise money to send talented dancers to professional schools abroad, where they would undergo full-time training. The council received many invitations for trips from its international counterpart - to which it was affiliated - to attend festivals and participate in competitions. But it could not afford to finance flights, which were not usually paid for.

The council`s low membership fees barely covered administration costs. Indeed, having its own premises, which was one of its projects, was out of the question for the foreseeable future.

"The arts are always the last to receive funding the world over," Mr Barker admitted.

The Dance Council aims to raise awareness of dance in Malta, and its upcoming Dance Marathon, organised to celebrate the International World Day of Dance, as assigned by UNESCO, is another step in that direction.

"Dance is not exclusive to the elite", he said, and the event, which would be taking the art form into the streets, would serve to put distance from that mentality.

The Dance Marathon would also serve to bring schools together - a total of 19 were participating on a voluntary basis - and see them in rare collaboration. Indeed, one of the major achievements of the Dance Council is that it had managed to unite Malta`s dance schools, between which there has always been an element of rivalry and a spirit of competition.

Following last year`s success, the idea was for the marathon to become an annual event, and the 13-hour marathon is being held again in Freedom Square, Valletta, on April 27.

The proceeds are being donated to the charitable organisation Razzett tal-Hbiberija, which offers free leisure facilities and therapeutic services to persons with disability.

Razzett tal-Hbiberija is currently raising funds to build a multi-sensory hall for the treatment of children with cognitive and communicative disability.

Last year`s marathon had raised almost Lm3,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Group. Children and adults get to collect money and can do one class for every Lm2 they raise, while teachers, choreographers and committee members offer their services for free.

The Dance Council is encouraging local dance academies, companies and choreographers to collaborate on the initiative.

Apart from raising money for charity, the event, which is being held in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Valletta local council, is offering the opportunity for dance to be presented to the public in the capital city, and is also a celebration of the art form.

The celebrations start at 9 a.m., with a dance parade of over 500 students from the various dance academies in Malta - wearing white as a sign of unity and peace. The parade is to move from Palace Square through Republic Street to Freedom Square, where the dance marathon would be inaugurated.

The marathon - a constant flow of dance lessons, ranging from jazz to classical ballet to contemporary dance - starts at 10 a.m. and finishes at 10.30 p.m. Some of Malta`s top teachers and choreographers are offering classes, which are open to children, teenagers and adults; anyone who wishes to join in the fun of dance for a good cause.

Sharon Sapienza is also visiting the island specifically for the occasion and is giving a flamenco class during the marathon.

In addition to this event, the Dance Council is also organising an open-air performance - Valletta Dances - to conclude the weekend activities. It would also include a performance by the Guardian Angels Special Needs School - showing that "dance is for everyone".

The show is being held in the ruins of the Royal Opera House on April 28 at 8 p.m.

The event is also being integrated with the Valletta Evenings - A City Alive initiative.

Tickets for the performance are available at Lm4.50 from the Valletta council, the participating academies and Franks The Perfumery outlets.

On the occasion, radio stations are being encouraged to play dance and classical music and TV to broadcast ballets.