ABOUT US
The effects of the Covid 19 pandemic are still being felt and continue to pose challenges for many performing artists, especially freelance dancers. The need for counselling, coaching, financial support for retraining and one-to-one meetings to develop a future perspective is growing and artists often see no other way than to leave the stage and retrain.
We are convinced that performing artists, especially dancers, are highly specialised experts in their field and it is important to use their excellent skills also for the time after their stage career, so that they can flow back into society. In order to avoid long-term unemployment or even social cases, it is important to actively support the artists in this vulnerable phase of professional transition.
SSUDK encouraged the performing artists* to use the time for self-reflection and for new inspiration for professional development. To this end, “The Dancers’ Survival Guide to Transition” was published by SSUDK.
The Transition Centre SSUDK supports all performing artists with individual counselling and coaching, live or via ZOOM. Make an appointment: info@ssudk.ch
SSUDK encouraged the performing artists* to use the time for self-reflection and for new inspiration for professional development. To this end, “The Dancers’ Survival Guide to Transition” was published by SSUDK. “The Dancers’ Survival Guide to Transition”
Many performing artists are not able to pursue their profession until their regular retirement. Be it for health reasons or because they can no longer 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 of their profession, they have to reorient themselves at an average age of 35. Some are able to find another position in their traditional field, but many have no choice but to retrain.
Due to the rather low wages during an artist’s career, it is often not possible to build up savings for retraining purposes. The entry into further professional life is made even more difficult by the often unrecognised professional qualifications of performing artists.
This is where the SSUDK helps people to help themselves. With information on changing careers, counselling and contributions to retraining, performing artists are offered the opportunity to channel their creativity and working power in new directions.
The Foundation SSUDK
The Foundation for the Retraining of Stage Artists was established in 1993 by the Swiss Association of Stage Artists “Schweizerischer Bühnenkünstlerverband (SBKV)”. In 1997, the foundation opened up to non-members and since 2013 it has operated under the name Swiss Foundation for the Retraining of Performing Artists “Schweizerische Stiftung für die Umschulung von darstellenden Künstlerinnen und Künstlern SSDUK”.
In 2016, the “Transition-Center SSUDK” was established to support and advise performing artists before, during and after their career in German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino and Liechtenstein. This applies in particular to dancers during their professional transition.
SERVICES
Counseling
Initial assessment and information about retraining opportunities
Grants
Grants may include both contributions for education as well as cost of living contributions
Workshops
The main objective is to give artists practical knowledge and to make them aware as soon as possible of the issue of changing careers
Networking
Networking with partner organizations and former performance artists who have successfully started a new career
NEWS
Career development workshop (online) for dancers Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sara Buncic portrait of the new management of Danse Transition
5 years Transition Center SSUDK scholarships / financial support 2016 – 2021
Philippe Braunschweig Grant and IOTPD- and Coaching Meeting Berlin 2022
NEWSLETTER
CONTACT
Schweizerische Stiftung für die Umschulung von darstellenden Künstlerinnen und Künstlern
c/o SzeneSchweiz
Kasernenstrasse 15
CH-8004 Zürich
Tel. +41 78 718 15 01
DONATION
Schweizerische Stiftung für die Umschulung von darstellenden Künstlerinnen und Künstler
8804 Zürich
IBAN CH17 0900 0000 8913 6523 8
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 Danse Suisse.
The SSUDK cooperates with the following committed partners for workshops, awareness-raising measures and networking activities:
Cooperation partners: Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung SIS/ SWISSPERFORM, SzeneSchweiz, Danse Suisse, Danse Transition
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, Teatri Associati della Scena Indipendente TASI, PilateSWISS
In addition, the SSUDK has been a member of ProFonds, the Swiss umbrella organisation of charitable foundations and associations, since 2019.