Mindful of the fact that the make-up of the dance and choreographic sector does not fully reflect the diversity of our society, this new initiative seeks to offer economically disadvantaged teenagers a supplementary training programme so that they can aspire to a professional career in the dance field, regardless of the social and financial hurdles they face. Accompanying future artists from less privileged backgrounds in their professional training is thus imperative, both to ensure that these dancers’ careers can flourish, and to continue to stimulate the creativity of the sector so as to ensure that it remains alive, inventive and in sync with its era.

Élan operates on a local scale, partnering with the CN D to draw on its resources and its grassroots ties with the surrounding region of Seine-Saint-Denis, which suffers from particularly marked social inequalities. Dance training begins at a particularly young age compared with other artistic forms, and so it is essential to come in at an early stage to ensure that the most vulnerable young artists can continue to perfect their craft. Entirely free of charge, Élan is open to young people aged 15 to 18 undertaking advanced dance training in conservatoires in Aubervilliers/La Courneuve, Aulnay-sous-Bois, Bobigny, Pantin, Le Blanc-Mesnil, Montreuil and Bagnolet. For the programme’s third intake,  twenty students were chosen for the 2023-24 academic year by audition after an initial selection process based on videos submitted by the applicants.

The selected students benefit from twenty-seven days of artistic support, a total of 162 hours of training at the CN D during the school holidays and on certain Saturdays, as well as group outings to see performances. This enables them to not only progress as artists but to also immerse themselves in choreographic culture and to boost their confidence. This “accelerated” year will allow them to confirm their desire to undertake professional artistic training and, where necessary, to consolidate this choice with a wealth of resources in terms of methodology, career guidance and theory. At the end of this bespoke programme, they will be well equipped to enter leading choreographic training courses.

Created and piloted by the CN D with the support of the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès, and coordinated by Raphaëlle Delaunay, this equal opportunities programme is the first of its kind in France.