It has 4,600 active dancer-clients and has helped dancers in 47 states with their transitions through mobile National Outreach Projects.
[1] In 1982, several foundations and unions including the National Endowment for the Arts, the AFL-CIO Labor Institute for Human Enrichment, and the Actors' Equity Association (led by Agnes de Mille) granted funding for a conference to discuss the need to assist dancers both during and at the end of their careers.
[2] In 1985, the nonprofit organization Career Transition For Dancers, Inc. was established in New York City with money from Actors' Equity Association, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Guild of Musical Artists, and the Screen Actors Guild.
[6] Other organizations in the international organization include Dancer Transition Resource Centre (Canada),[7] Dancers' Career Development (UK),[8] Association Suisse Pour la Reconversion des Danseurs Professionnels (Switzerland).
Workshops examine the key components of career transition, from defining interests and skills to understanding the emotional aspects of change.
Resource center materials include self-help manuals, college guides, a job bank, and various publications relevant to working dancers pursuing career development.
Jock Soto, former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, received a grant from the organization to attend culinary school after retiring,[10] and wrote a cookbook with his former dance partner, Heather Watts.