The ManicaPost
Friday Lessons with Sir Mwanyisa
Greetings learners, parents and guardians!
Welcome to your Visual and Performing Arts weekly lessons brought to you by your favourite newspaper, The Manica Post.
Learners are expected to have an exercise book and a pen to write the work given as exercises.
Today our topic is on careers in dance.
You are expected to be able to identify careers in dance and their roles in society.
Visual arts are not only an academic subject done to create fun, it is also an opportunity to establish careers.
Today we will go through several careers that are directly and indirectly linked to dancing.
Remember a career is a job a person takes up in order to get income.
One can also acquire entrepreneurship skills to become self reliant.
Administrator
An arts administrator has to have an understanding of the visual arts in general and particularly in dancing if one is to become a dance administrator.
The administrator has to know all the needs of a dance company and the dancers as well.
It is the duty of the administrator to organise financial budgets, schedules of meetings, shows and travel itineraries for the dancers, among other activities.
A high degree of negotiation skills is required in order to mobilise funds and meet the needs of dancers and clients.
For reporting purposes, the administrator must be able to write accurate reports.
Dance marketers
In order to market dancers, one should have the ability to design web pages, flyers, and other promotional materials.
There is a need to have good knowledge and skills to market these through social media platforms.
The knowledge of Information Communication Technology becomes very essential here.
Many companies have been registered as dance companies and these include Iyasa and Amakhosi theatre dance groups.
Graphic designers
Graphic designers can work together with dance marketers.
Dance marketers can go for additional training in order to be able to do the graphic designs for the dance company.
Just as in visual arts, examples of graphic designers are those who produce billboards and logos.
Some designers prepare plans.
The use of technology is applied in designing artworks.
One can go to university or other tertiary institutions for a qualification in graphic designs.
Costume designers
Costumes are the clothes worn by dancers during performances.
Each dance is guided by a specific theme that can be highlighted by the way the dancers dress.
One can take up costume designing for dancers as a profession.
Physical therapist
Physical therapists conduct body fitness training with dancers.
Dance requires physical fitness, flexibility and coordination of body parts in order to be exciting and inspiring.
Some dances such as Muchongoyo require vigorous movements, acrobatics and stomping of feet requiring the physical therapist’s attention.
Task
Research and write notes on the following careers in dance:
Choreographer
Videographer
Dance medicine specialist
Yoga and pilates instructors.
