Union of Dance and Circus Artists Finland 80 years

The 80 years jubilee exhibition of the Union of Dance and Circus Artists Finland displayed at the Theatre Museum, unfolds the history of the Union through photographs, exhibits, and costumes. The exhibition reveals the persistent work of artists and the Union in presenting dance and circus as vibrant and valuable art forms. Thanks to their efforts, today the status of dance and circus is indisputable.

The Union of Dance Artists was founded on 11 April, 1937. The mission and the call for the Union was evident, as the artistic, professional and economic situation called for improvement. The Union has advocated for general recognition for the art form, but also lobbied for salary tariffs, access to grants and scholarships, and opportunities to study and perform. Circus artists joined the Union in 2005, and in 2013 The Union of Dance Artists was changed into the Union of Dance and Circus Artists.

The materials on display include photographs from stage as well as from practices. The change in the experience of being a performer, in the aesthetics of a piece, as well as the change in the field is clearly reflected in the photographs. On display there are programme leaflets and other documents from the past, and glorious costumes and accessories from the Museum’s collections.