On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, teachers, heads of programmes and staff from dance education programmes across the Netherlands came together for the first Knowledge Day on Safety in Dance Education. With 75 participants from vocational (mbo), higher professional (hbo) and pre-professional programmes, the day marked a first collective exploration of social safety within dance education.
The event took place at MBO College Zuid (PACT+ / ROC Amsterdam) and brought together professionals from across the country. For many participants, it was a special moment to gather with so many dance programmes in one space. For some, it felt like a small reunion: many participants already knew each other, albeit from different contexts within the field. According to the organisers, the day marks an important step towards increased exchange and collaboration between dance education institutions.
“The fact that we are coming together for the first time with so many dance programmes from across the Netherlands is remarkable. This knowledge day is a starting point to meet more often, share experiences and continue building together towards social safety in dance education,” said Rianne Peterson, co-initiator of the knowledge day on behalf of Dans Veilig.
Exploring themes of safety and discomfort
Throughout the day, participants explored how themes such as boundaries, consent, and the creation of learning environments that allow space for different experiences, perspectives and limits relate to one another — also when this involves tension or discomfort.
In the keynote by anthropologist, psychologist and educator Aminata Cairo, the central question was how to create space for different stories and perspectives without immediately trying to resolve or smooth them over. She highlighted the distinction between discomfort and unsafety: not everything that feels challenging or frictional is unsafe — sometimes it signals that something is shifting or moving.
The workshops approached these themes from different angles, addressing topics such as consent, pedagogy, and the relationship between safety and tension.
A starting point for further development
The knowledge day made visible that there is a shared need within dance education to further deepen these themes and continue developing them together. The event therefore marks a first step towards ongoing exchange and collaboration within the field.
Dans Veilig is exploring, together with participating institutions, how this can be followed up.
Read the report
Curious to learn more about the key insights and reflections from the day?
Read the full report of the knowledge day here (Dutch):
Photo’s: Mervyne Scholten