French dancers work for the government!

[@communistsharks6889]

They’re also entitled to a pension after they retire at 42! They’re unionized bc they’re public servants, and their collective agreement grants them the lower retirement age bc of the stress ballet puts on the body. They were on strike recently I think bc the new retirement mandates in France removed this exception

[@theDanceLens]

100%

[@InsertHandleHere968]

Thank you for adding this information!

[@laurenredding1419]

Hell yeah! Unionize! I love France!

[@justanotherweirdo11]

That's amazing

[@MaraMara89]

We had similar laws in Poland but it has changed and now retirement age is the same like for other jobs (60 for women, 65 for men), which is ridiculous and dancers try to fight it... I think that with modern knowledge, all physiotherapy etc. dancing longer than let's say in 90' is doable. But it's hard for me to see dancers after 50, especially women who had children along the way. And not all dancers can switch to management positions - theatres don't need as many managers as dancers 😂

[@ashtaylor4107]

And American ballet schools (and then companies) likely miss out on a ton of talent because of these prohibitive expenses. I know there are some places that are able to help students with financials, but it is not as wide spread or easy to come by/know about for many people. The arts just aren’t considered all that important, in the US, at the end of the day.

[@theDanceLens]

SO MUCH LOST TALENT YES!!!!!!!!!!

[@Padraigp]

I didnt even know america had a ballet body. Never even heard of it. Anyone who was good in our class talked about a ton of places they wanted to go and it was the actors and tap guys who wanted to go to Broadway. But honestly didn't know there was ballet in usa. 😂

[@Padraigp]

​@theDanceLens but no communism 😂

[@karisfergusson7366]

​@@PadraigpFr like they do realize it would be taxpayers paying for the tuition. Many of which are already struggling to support their families 🫠.

[@Lucky9_9]

@@PadraigpThink about it like this. Ballet funded by the country means that there is no DEI. And the dancers do not need to be rich to afford training, which means that ONLY the people who are the most skilled and the best at the job are hired. That's what you want isn't it? Everyone having the same opportunity to get the job, but only the most skilled people who have earned the job should get it? 🤔

[@aflatminor-40]

It's a pretty fair rule. 42 isn't a terrible age to retire, and you can still dance at a different company.

[@Elvieah_]

And you are paid a pension for your work by the state! So you could technically mainly retire at 42

[@frugalhousewife9878]

You could be a guest soloist for other companies or schools for quite a while.

[@johnsarkissian5519]

I knew a dancer who after retiring from San Francisco ballet where he was a soloist took voice lessons and then joined the Düsseldorf opera in Germany as a principal baritone.

[@thelreadtheunready4051]

42 actually is a great age to retire considering you even get a pension. That's crazy. People will be working hard manual labour till they're the 65 and be worse off.

[@annaa3772]

​@@thelreadtheunready4051 The thing is that one can't dance ballet intensely for that long. It is basically an extreme sport. So it's somewhat comparable to hard labour.

[@SS_DT]

The pointe shoes alone could bankrupt a dancer without sponsorship.

[@talllala]

How long does a pair of pointe shoes last?

[@AK-bf2ho]

​@@talllala sometimes one day

[@canterlevi]

Generally speaking, our country as a whole does not value the arts.

[@c.s.7266]

​@canterlevi I hear you. It's very disappointing that our country scores low on that scale as well as our crappy education system.

[@talllala]

@@AK-bf2ho 😮☠️💸

[@GizelleQuant]

Wow. I never knew that. No wonder there are so many talented dancers from those places. They can actually dedicate even more time to their craft.

[@theDanceLens]

100%

[@MaraMara89]

In many countries in Europe education is funded from taxes - so you can learn what you really want to and not calculate if the debt is worth it and payable from your future salary ... I mean: I am a Culture Studies major and I work for a Municipal Opera theatre , couldn't be doing that in this economy in States (or other country with tuition)

[@iloveprivacy8167]

& the pool to draw from is "everyone with talent & dedication" not just "everyone with talent, dedication, & rich parents"

[@jfm14]

​@@iloveprivacy8167 Rich parents _or_ rich sponsors....

[@MaraMara89]

Last week I was on a bus (public transport,mostly paid from taxes too) and heard two teenagers talking about choosing degrees, and one said "you know that you can quit if you don't like chosen one" 🙃 and I thought about all those American kids that don't won't to give up because already have loans for that :/ In my (culture) studies group there was a guy who tried philosophy and Polish before, so culture was his 3rd try (and he got a bachelor degree in it).

[@latsnojokelee6434]

My ballet teacher left the US when she was young and danced in a ballet at Denmark because they gave their dancers health insurance. Then she came back when she was older and started her own dance company.

[@KatieM786]

Hang on - they don't get access to healthcare whilst breaking their body for their job. That's not fair

[@ccutehoney]

@@KatieM786they are considered independent contractors 😂 it’s really depends on the company too

[@marianoelmontesdeoca5491]

@@KatieM786the idea is that you save money for pay the health service. My granfather came with literaly nothing From italy with no education he start to work in four jobs and made up to buy 6apartments soy he could live when he wasnt able to work anymore. There are other ways to live apart from work for a company that a part of your salary goes to health and so on.

[@cutienerdgirl]

​@@marianoelmontesdeoca5491Health Insurance is expensive. Your grandfather shouldn't have had to work 4 jobs, and maybe he was escaping WWII because modern Italy would definitely provide him free Healthcare.

[@EGoPRiNCExx]

Europeans just give free health healthcare, nothing groundbreaking here!

[@alwaysrootingfortheantihero123]

i think when the state prioritises culture and art the citizenry benefit.

[@theDanceLens]

Agreed 100%

[@kayelle8005]

Imagine if the US government funded culture and the arts at even 1% of what they fund the military?

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

​@@kayelle8005Sorry but I'd rather have a funded military.

[@Cove_Blue]

​@@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669 👢👅

[@nishottara777]

​@@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669we waste money on the military here. we spend many many times more than all other countries combined, its not necessary sorry...

[@helliumballoons7546]

That’s because the French government has a section of their budget dedicated to “cultural pursuits”. Basically anything artistic to keep the cultural integrity of France alive. They also fund filmmaking, theatrical productions, and equestrian with this.

[@IRACEMABABU]

It's even more general. In France there's no student loans. All the tuitions for all kind of studies are affordable, and students get financial help for their daylife expenses. No such thing as student debt lasting years to reimburse. But, as everybody knows in US France is a socialist hell.... LLLOOOLLL

[@TheNewEarthCollective1]

This is how it should be!! Art and Music are the language of the soul!! ❤❤❤

[@IRACEMABABU]

After 42 the star dancers start to teach dance in the same company, or in other dance companies. Or for some of them they become administators of the company. During all their learning years they pass exams, the final ones giving them the rights to officially teach dance. The french system is very complete. If you succed at every step you can have a very good dance career, if not one of the best ones in the world.

[@ana5301]

Not only for ballet, it's the same for many jobs, in almost all of Europe a large part of students learn for free. It is very important that it be so, especially when we are talking about less desirable jobs, such as teaching.

[@nowsynowsy]

Even if not 100% free it's absolutely manageable for you standard family to afford their kid's university (unless you're a snob and want fancy/religious private universities). *The* dance academy is Scala's academy. They do offer boarding with the fee and considering it's not even a university but it's for kids starting at 11 to 18 and they take the top it's not a bad deal. Beside ballet the go to regular middle and high school so they graduate with a double degree in dance (both classical and modern) and a high school diploma. We have a branch of visual arts liceo focused on dancing with specific subjects like dance history and techniques and music history but still covers the usual subjects as any liceo like italian language, history, philosophy, english, earth science/chemistry/biology (changes every year), physics and maths. I think it's about 32h weekly, excluding dance lessons. Roughly my high school weekly hours (mine was 35, extra physics and math) but I got to collapse in pj when done at school

[@melowlw8638]

​​@@nowsynowsy thats good to know!! the french works with a school system on the side too, we also continue with lycée (liceo), where the diploma at the end of it is the required one to be able to go to university or other schooling above the age of 18. however u graduate in a literature oriented one (one of the old systems had different types of these diplomas, with literature, maths, n economical+social, so "bac" L, S, ES) they have around the same subjects as the ones u listed i think, n when they finish their schooling at the dance school associated with the paris opera ballet, they get another diploma, the national superior professional diploma of dancer (the wording sounds awkward but the title emphasises the profession of being a dancer, thats why) the schooling is free, only the food n boarding school have to be paid (theres not enough rooms for everyone, so they prioritise kids who dont have parents who live close)

[@Alexandra_Indina]

It's not FOR FREE. It's for OUR TAXES.

[@ana5301]

@@Alexandra_Indina yes, you can say that too, but we have the health model, where the US government pays more/person than the UK government, even though there is no universal health service in the US. I tend to believe that even in the countries where it is paid, the population also pays, although they do not benefit.

[@veronika607]

in my country there's a high demand for teachers so they even give a special quite good scholarship to those who choose to study for teachers. so not only do they study in university for free like the rest of us but also are motivated to choose teaching programme with money.

[@esval3054]

In Mexico, all the national ballet and music schools are tuition free. Most of the National Company dancers have studied there.

[@Mezzie1957]

They are very lucky and very blessed. The ballet in Paris is amazing.

[@princesskaguya2000]

We can't get parental leave or universal healthcare, let alone support for the arts.

[@theDanceLens]

Touché

[@dharling97]

I'm guessing you are talking about the American system????

[@Char10tti3]

The UK has both, but the arts are still massively underfunded. Also adds to how exclusive a career is since there's no easy way to look into scholarships or funding.So many historic theatres have closed after the pandemic and brexit, mainly because the money is re routed into other arts projects without thought. Christopher Eccleston the actor was very vocal in reporting theatre closure outside of London that trained and hired working class people and teens. They closed the historic theater to put money into some vague promise of furthering the support for working class teens, but it meant they had the money to keep it open and just decided not to.

[@Char10tti3]

Also French Healthcare uses an insurance scheme as well, just a more effective one.

[@talllala]

No parental leave? What do you guys do when you give birth and have a baby? What if the mother needs the help of the Father for a few weeks?

[@matildakorinthenberg9914]

The dancers arches and lines are so incredible

[@obinwataje]

I used to study modern dance at the Merce Cunningham Studio in NYC and the dancers in the company had to go on employment off season. Many dancers in smaller companies had to wait tables while taking class, rehearsing and performing. This was forty years ago when life was still affordable in NYC.

[@Neosoul_prima]

And unfortunately still is today. The U.S literally takes everything from its people

[@kontrygrll01amerika54]

I had to laugh when you said ticket sales, because of hearing problems my brain interpreted it as "chicken sales". A new twist, instead of selling cookies to keep things going.😂

[@AnnDrogyne]

What I find interesting about America is you have some of the most adaptable and talented individual young dancers and that requires brilliant teachers. Maybe because it is so expensive for a dancer to progress in America there a abundance of very talented dancers who go into teaching. Don't fine that here in the UK, it's a scholarship to the Royal Ballet or there is little hope of top grade training,.

[@SallyClapper-y8e]

Thank you. New news to me and I'm grateful because my eyes are opened a bit wider. The comments are wonderful, too. It's as though I've stepped into a fascinating conversation at a big party. 💙

[@artboxfashion4042]

IF you're still dancing at 42. It is rare to dance in your forties. Most people retire in their thirties due to injuries or joint problems. They become teachers, choreographers, or run their own studios.

[@Tiffany-Rose]

That is amazing that this art is so supported there. I wish the US would do something like this.

[@Nobilangelo]

States worthy of the name will support the finest art because they know how precious it is.

[@MN-pz2op]

In Mexico there is a similar system, but I think you are only granted a pension if you happen to be employed by public institution or company, and in the country there are not that many, and the competition is intense, but I guess in POB there is a lot of competition as well, also here in Mexico ballet is extremely centralized, with very few option to develop profesionally, because the main institutions are located in the metropolitan areas, such as Mexico City or Monterrey, so here we have benefits, but probably not that many like in France.

[@cacklebarnacle15]

Ballet dancers and teachers along with about 140 other professions in the areas of arts and publication are eligible to get into a special health insurance in Germany. You only pay about half as much as with regular insurances, the other half is carried by the state as well as companies and publishers that rely on the work of these professionals.

[@PPfilmemacher]

Die Künstlersozialkasse ist ein Segen Ich bin dort seit 2009 Mitglied und muss nur alle zwei Jahre nachweisen, dass ich immer noch künstlerisch selbstständig tätig bin

[@black_forest_]

Our local theatre here in Germany is also a state theatre so publicly funded. There are many such places all over, its not just a couple large places.

[@Bunny-zu7gn]

I feel like it would allow new dancers to have their time on the big stage. I like this a lot!

[@BreathworkWithBethR]

This is awesome. Art should be treated as a public service.

[@StringofPearls55]

Except it's not a public service.

[@chalkedlines8960]

@@StringofPearls55It enriches our lives. I call that a public service.

[@kitkatlove89]

@@StringofPearls55my brother in Christ then don’t consume this video

[@StringofPearls55]

@@chalkedlines8960 It enriches some people's lives. Start a foundation or a non-profit but don't put the onus on the taxpayer.

[@StringofPearls55]

@@kitkatlove89 Why? I like ballet I just don't believe people should have money forcibly removed from their pay to fund others other's desires and retirement. Now, if you'd like to have money subtracted from your wage then may a suggest you start a fund for these dancers.

[@starbug345]

That’s actually awesome that they do that.

[@johnsarkissian5519]

Same goes for opera companies in many countries. The difference being that the retirement age for singers is generally around 65.

[@elinat2414]

Yeah, Opera is not as taxing on the body, your voice peaks later (20s - 30s), and if you take care of your instrument, you could still sing beautifully in your 60s.So it makes sense :)

[@whiteroseblossom970]

Damn, the reason I gave up training to be a ballerina in my teens was because the cost of continuing that education. I really wish I knew about this because I speak decent French and understand it pretty well. I also am planning on moving to a European country anyway.

[@Animusangel]

Go for it!🎉

[@TheNewEarthCollective1]

Go!!

[@GreyMinerva]

Same in Norway, AFAIK. Ballet classes for kids are often fairly expensive, but we have free upper education and all dance institutions of this type have the same early retirement age.

[@sophroniel]

yep in new zealand they are funded, just like the new zealand symphony orchestra. My brother's a professional musician

[@louisonpatureau4028]

France is a providential state. The state helps the people. That's why they have healthcare, don't have student debt because of affordable education and, of course, that also applies to ballet. But it's not a ballet specific thing

[@grenade8572]

Actually, most western Europe countries have the same advantages than Feance (except ballet: I don't know how it works). That's why, for Europeans, US look like the wild west (even though its massive cultural influence).

[@altongrimes]

Love your richly informative content

[@shelleyoxenhorn833]

A system with prohibitive tuition means only the wealthiest and not necessarily the most talented will prevail. I'm American, and this is disappointing - again.

[@jtika1978]

Move to Paris then 🤷‍♀️

[@melowlw8638]

​@@jtika1978 one can complain abt problems in their country, without wanting to move out

[@jtika1978]

@@melowlw8638 it’s absolutely NOT a problem that Ballet is not a government entity subsidized by tax payers. Please

[@mcgc93]

​@@jtika1978then how about Healthcare? Child care? Funding something other than the military? Lol

[@jtika1978]

@@mcgc93 funding healthcare and childcare is not the governments job, nor should it be!

[@lauren1779]

This is so fascinating and cool

[@theDanceLens]

Thank you!!!!

[@owens5737]

Gillian Murphy is an active principal at abt at 45 ❤❤❤❤

[@thatgrumpychick4928]

We don't have anything like this in the US Wow, what a surprise

[@jnm2088]

It surprises you that like the only first world country without national health insurance doesn’t support the arts either? 😂

[@taylorbaysinger]

​@@jnm2088Like many of us Americans, she is using sarcasm and dark humor to help endure the monotony and misfortune.

[@user-po2il2eh2di]

nonprofits exist they pay for your tuiton, costumes,shoes and more

[@TheNewEarthCollective1]

Ugh. America hates its own citizens.

[@elisabethm9655]

It’s a miracle that we have dancers at all. In the US, ballet is often seen as elitist. Because we don’t publicly support it, sadly, it IS only for those wealthy or lucky enough to participate. It creates a death spiral of creativity and infects all the arts.

[@hectelionstormrage6098]

We have a minister of culture 😅

[@rocksaltcomando]

Prohibitively expensive.. I like that term. It could be used to describe most things lol

[@gekkkonya]

saying "moscow and saint petersburg" as if they're different countries.

[@lunavichnosti]

Servants of the state in the rest of the world: 👓🖥️👵🏻 Servants of the state in France: 🩰💃🏻🎶

[@averynelson5751]

The words "prohibitively expensive" describe quite a few things in the US

[@maialen77]

Gotta fund the arts

[@Wumbo_the_Mumbo]

Me, who knows nothing about ballet: "that's neat."

[@annie22krm]

Wow!! Thank you for that information. ❤

[@isabelpark7650]

They put their bodies through so much.

[@Eddie_ML]

I would add that it's not "french ballet". It'the Paris Opera ballet only, this system doesn't exist everywhere in french. Plus à lot of dangers go to private schools, althgouh there are strong and reputable public options

[@valeriepvi3667]

That is the reality not only for France and Russia, but in every other country when ballet has history and people appreciate that art 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jdstep97]

At 42, I'd be ready to retire and do my own thing. Start a new exciting chapter in my life.

[@Kfont1573]

This all stems from Louis XIV being a serious dancer himself, and believing ballet was so wonderful everyone should be able to participate! He opened the first ballet academy in France and it had free tuition. Been the same ever since!

[@JaNeDoE-001]

Preserving art & culture Bravo

[@marjorieallworth6172]

They're amazing XXX

[@cyancyborg1477]

That's beautiful.

[@mayhem875]

I wish the US valued the arts the same way other countries do 😢

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

Other countries don't have millions of illegals receiving free phones, gift cards, education, medical care and now free homes bring paid for by us taxpayers.

[@JayneyGoddardCMA]

It is an excellent rule because it also means that retirees make space for upcoming younger dancers.

[@loboestepario2424]

The worst part is that the US, being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, could indeed provide universal coverage, not only for ballet dancers, but to all of its citizens. If France can (BTW not a federal state as said on the video), the US certainly can.

[@LadyScaper]

Yes, the US can, it just does not want to.

[@hannahstraining7476]

Europe has a very long history of protecting and supporting the arts. America has a not-so-long history of supporting...football.

[@luga718]

True!

[@HandmadeDarcy]

Imagine that - real support for the Arts by redistributing tax dollars, as government should do, we really need to stop saying "philanthropy" and call it what it is: "tax avoidance".

[@lolazal1]

Health care in the USA is prohibitive expensive 😢

[@pinkdreamzzzzz]

imagine all the talent unrealized bc of lack of funding

[@medranochav]

classismmmm

[@Avilovesdance]

When your country actually cares about the arts

[@GorgDjdjd-wo4dy]

Ekaterina Maximova who?? We don’t have an age restriction in the Russian ballet.

[@alexlavoie4174]

And that’s one of the reasons why you’ll get more stories of ballet dancers seemingly coming from nothing in other countries but not much in the U.S. because of the tuition prices here.

[@22Too]

The state-supported Cuban National Ballet School also produces world-class ballet dancers.

[@deniseharkins7792]

@@22Too yes but would 6ou want to live in a communist country

[@sassysls1851]

There used to be a statistic back in the late 90s that Belgium paid more for the arts than the US. Not sure if that is still true, but I’m sure most European countries still do.

[@MarciaLeeStelling]

So, in other words, in this the French are smarter than us. I agree. Ballet is literally poetry in motion. It is the inspiration of all other dance. Just ask any dancer where they started.

[@theDanceLens]

100%

[@MiriamMillen]

Yet another thing that Europe does better than the US. Sigh.

[@artimist0315]

I mean for a country that doesn't have a national healthcare system, public ballet school may not be the biggest priority

[@profe3330]

AND they get healthcare for life, just by virtue of being French citizens. It's only in the US where the arts are denigrated and intentionally starved, while artists - like any other citizen - can be bankrupted by illness or injury.

[@FreyasArts]

It's honestly embarrassing that the US dares to call something "their" ballet company and then not supporting it This is also what really irks me about the US I'm general. In theory it's such a great country, but the ideal of "freedom of choice" can only work if you're also enabling the people to educate themselves properly. And having to go into severe debt just for education shouldn't be a requirement.

[@yurabeech5268]

42 sounds like a great time to retire from a professional troupe. I don't think people appreciate how taxing this art form is on the body, the mind and the spirit.

[@tinydancer7426]

Ha-ha! When she said the American Ballet was supported by philanthropy and tickets sales, it sounded to me like she said, "... through chicken sales". Almost choked on my sandwich. :0D

[@npats550]

I thought NYCB, was the bigger company in the US, with it's feeder school and Balanchine choreographing so many of his ballets as abstract ones, with the old, "don't think (about the motivation of certain roles, even when they have a story), just move". When he wasn't giving them "uppers", so they could dance a show if they were unwell. Gotta admit, I do love the "Rubies", movement as part of his "Jewels", and the Tchai pas.

[@icequeenspits]

The respect that Europe puts on art and culture is real! We could really learn here in the US. We have the financial resources we just need the political will. I'd be happy to see my taxes go to programs like this.

[@luga718]

The sad thing?We never learn

[@richardcleveland8549]

How fortunate for French dancers . . . .

[@silverfeetsue]

They also get a pension too. In the US you are out on your ass with nothing

[@anainesgonzalez8868]

In my country we also have a state ballet company 😊

[@djc836]

France and Russia produce better dancers than the US. America might wanna look into their system.

[@luvzfrance24]

When you see a ballet by the Paris Opera Ballet the quality of their productions look like they are given a blank check for their budget.

[@jaimetorraco8487]

Exhibit a single crumb of benefit to a worker? America could never

[@blackroserevolution3989]

Yeah, 42, the appropriate French retirement age

[@FullOfGlow1980]

We Should❤

[@buster9106]

That's so sad how the arts are so underfunded and under appreciated in the US.

[@veryhappymondays]

..."prohibitively expensive". that part is not by chance, imho, respectfully.

[@Char10tti3]

I assumed a lot of royal ballet and opera houses worked this way when it comes to funding? I guess that the French Revolution just did away with the royal elements? I'm not actually sure how everyone is treated as in terms of having government related positions in the UK though, because the costumes departments offer internships and a lot of benefits of the Ballet and Opera House and they do a lot of historical works too. Also why they could do Royal Opera At Home during COVID and try a little to extend viewings like in cinemas.

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

When it comes to All things European culture, America has always been a lot more austere and rustic. Ballet has been a huge part of French culture probably since it was invented, and Tchaikovsky made it a massive part of the Russian theater culture. America doesn't really have any equivalents.

[@ennediend2865]

America🇺🇲❤ means private initiative😊 In France we even have " Ministère de la Culture"...

[@nanni84]

Same in Norway

[@onorbit]

US has the National Endowment for the Arts with a budget of about $200m oer annum and provides grants up to $6m per annum.

[@morgans7785]

Wow your telling me I could’ve been a ballerina if I was born in one of those countries…

[@stellajohnson-vives7055]

We should move to get government supported Ballet Companies and schools. Such support should also extent to other forms of art.

[@loulie1997]

Well, the arts don’t matter in the US. Only STEM. STEM fields are the only educations that are important.... apparently.

[@PRANKZOMBIE]

That would never happen here. People will put tax money toward opening football stadiums here, but they won't feed starving children, breakfast, and lunch at school. It's kind of ridiculous

[@ameliecarre4783]

They must stop DANCING for the opera at 42. They can still work for it as teachers, choreographers, directors...

[@ACollectorNotAHoarder]

I wish America valued the arts more. Instead, our money supports military operations. What a failure of a system 😢

[@benejack666]

Ngl, naming a specific dance compnay the official US one, then doing nothing to help it, is the most Americanm thing ever, with regards to dance.

[@theDanceLens]

lol, ikr

[@dominiqueknight6707]

I wish the US government treated performing arts with a even a crumb of respect.

[@marianadejesusnunez1506]

It's definitely a tremendously expensive profession in the USA