TRANSITION-CENTER SSUDK

The competence centre for the career development of performing artists

Performing artists, especially freelance dancers, have faced particular challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic. The SSUDK Transition Centre helps them to help themselves. The need for counselling sessions, information on changing careers, coaching, financial support for retraining and one-to-one discussions to develop a future perspective is increasing. Our aim is to give performing artists the opportunity to channel their creativity and labour into new directions.

Many performing artists are unable to pursue their profession until their normal retirement age. This may be for health or economic reasons or because they are no longer able to cope with the physical demands of the profession. For dancers in particular, a career change is an inherent part of their career. Due to the physical demands, they have to reorient themselves at an average age of 35. Some artists are able to find another position in their traditional field, but many have no choice but to leave the stage and retrain. Due to the low wages during an artist’s career, it is often not possible to build up savings for retraining purposes. The entry into professional life is made even more difficult by the often unrecognised professional qualifications of many performing artists.

We are convinced that performing artists, especially dancers, are highly specialised experts in their field and that their outstanding skills should also be put to good use after their stage career so that they can flow back into society. In order to avoid long-term unemployment or even social cases, artists must be actively supported during this vulnerable phase of professional transition.

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The SSUDK encourages performing artists to use the time for their transition for self-reflection and as an opportunity for inspiration for new professional development.  „The Dancers‘ Survival Guide to Transition“ published by the SSUDK, can serve as an additional source of inspiration during this challenging time.
To overcome mental challenges, we recommend the Mental Health Guide.

SUPPORTED BY

Many thanks for the generous support of the following foundations: Schweizerischen Interpretenstiftung SIS/ Swissperform, Stiftung Corymbo, Ernst Göhner-Stiftung, SzeneSchweiz, Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung and Stiftung Anne-Marie Schindler.  

The SSUDK cooperates with the following committed partners for workshops, awareness-raising measures and networking activities:

Cooperation partners: Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung SIS/ SWISSPERFORM, SzeneSchweiz, Danse Transition, Opernhaus Zürich, Danse Suisse

Partner: Tanzbüro Basel IG Tanz Basel, Ballett Zürich, Ballett Basel, BA Contemporary Dance ZHdK
BETA Verein Berner Tanzschaffende, Biz Oerlikon «Netzwerk Spitzensport, DanzaSIA (Danza Svizzera Italiana Associazione), Dampfzentrale Bern, Konzert Theater Bern, MAS Dance Science Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern, Reso Danse Suisse, Tanz Akademie Zürich ZHdK, Tanz Luzerner Theater, PilateSWISS

In addition, the SSUDK has been a member of Pro Kultur Kanton Zürich, the interest group of cultural professionals, cultural institutions and cultural mediators in the Canton of Zurich, since 2022.

KAI BISCHOFF

Board member

Dr. MONIKA GUGGANIG

Head Office