Ellen Kane: Working-class people risk becoming absent from industry

Ballet Shoes choreographer Ellen Kane has condemned a lack of access to arts education in schools, saying creative careers are at risk of being dominated by a privileged few.

Kane, who began her career assisting Peter Darling on musical Billy Elliot, is the latest voice to challenge the suggestion that subjects such as dance are merely ’nice’ additions to a curriculum focused on traditional academic disciplines.

She told the Guardian: "There are not many working-class people [working] at this level. Now there will be even fewer. How do we get there if there is no exposure, no access?"

Kane continued: "Dance changed the trajectory of my life. It has to be valid."

Her comments follow the launch of the Arts and Minds movement, a national campaign to put "creativity at the heart of the curriculum" backed by fellow choreographer Arlene Phillips and Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, among others.

The Dear England movement director also criticised choreography’s absence from awards categories for screen prizes.

Kane, who lent her choreographic stylings to the Matilda the Musical film, said: "Why aren’t there Oscars for choreography? Why aren’t there BAFTAs? Why aren’t we being credited?"