In time, I stumbled upon a truly unique accelerator known as DanceGRiST. Positioned as a pre-seed collaborative social enterprise, DanceGRiST was established with the noble objective of elevating the income and status of dancers, multi-skilled artists, and other professionals in the movement arts sector. Led by the visionary Carole Edrich, a former tango dancer and bodybuilder turned project manager and writer, DanceGRiST has cultivated an international team and forged fruitful commercial collaborations all while challenging the prevailing misconception that dancers possess limited value beyond the stage.
Carole's diverse background and extensive experience in dance and the arts have uniquely positioned her to spearhead DanceGRiST's mission.
1. Understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. T
The concept of accelerators may seem unfamiliar to those entrenched solely in the arts. For many artists and creatives, entrepreneurship is a road less travelled, often left to producers or bypassed altogether. So, why do accelerators exist in the first place? The answer lies in the complex world of investment and venture capital, where incubator and accelerator programs scout potential startups, groom them, facilitate connections with investors, and aim to reap financial rewards from successful deals.
While the premise sounds promising, the harsh reality remains: very few cultural startups manage to achieve success. These startups, which bridge the gap between creativity and business, harness innovative ideas and artistic talents to generate economic and social value. However, their focus on social and communal impact may not always align with the profit-driven goals of investors. Given this landscape, it might seem perplexing that an accelerator tailored to auction off creatives’ talents has been initiated.
Carole on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose and articulating it with precision. She advocates for dedicating ample time to defining the mission and values that drive your work, even amidst shifting landscapes and evolving funding dynamics. For Carole, the clarity of purpose behind DanceGRiST — knowing whom she aims to help and collaborate with — remains steadfast, providing a guiding light amidst uncertainty and change. If ever in doubt, just ask yourself WHY and return to the seed of your purpose and the rest will fall into place.
2. Prioritize. Brutally.
Paraphrasing the great Steve Jobs: true focus isn’t merely about saying yes to what's important, but also about having the courage to say no to countless other good ideas. As creatives, we're often inundated with inspiration and a desire to bring our ideas to life. While such abundance of creativity is a gift, it can also lead to indecision and uncertainty about which path to pursue. My own journey in creating 'Kill Your Darlings', a 2017 dance work centered on the notion of prioritization and letting go of what isn't essential, underscored the importance of this principle.
During my tenure at Artunio, I learned a crucial lesson: the importance of failing fast. This ethos of rapid experimentation and swift adaptation is vital for startups, where time is synonymous with money. As a pre-seed startup, DanceGRiST faces constant pressure to navigate the constraints of time, investor interest, and the patience of their talented contributors. Hence the need to prioritize brutally.
Admittedly, prioritization doesn’t come naturally to either me or to Carole. Like many, we view it as a lifelong challenge. And this is especially true for Carole, given her disability. The multi-pronged act of balancing her health, professional goals, immediate financial needs, family, friends, and personal artistic endeavors poses a formidable task. Yet, for the success and longevity of DanceGRiST, she understands the importance of making the difficult decisions that will benefit everyone in the long run.
3. Rules are for wusses.
Throughout my journey as an artist, I've come to understand the subtle yet profound distinction between creativity and freedom. While freedom implies the unrestricted ability to act, creativity flourishes within the confines of certain parameters. It's common to hear artists lamenting their perceived lack of freedom due to various constraints, but I've discovered that these limitations can serve as fertile ground for inspiration.
In this context, the word "grist" takes on a multifaceted meaning. It represents both the foundational material that shapes a story or analysis and something utilized to one's advantage, even if initially unpromising. Carole and her team at DanceGRiST embody this ethos fully. With diverse talents and skills at their disposal, they refuse to confine themselves to rigid structures. Instead, Carole's visionary leadership style positions her as a navigator and harnesser of their collective abilities.
For Carole, rules are for wusses! But this doesn't imply breaking the law for whatever reason but rather challenging conventional norms and exploring alternative paths. Long before the pandemic forced remote work upon us, she had already established a distributed organization and embraced methodologies like Agile Scrum. She empowered her teams by limiting their work hours and prioritizing open communication and collaboration. Even in her consultancy days, she often eschewed traditional formalities, opting for casual attire during interviews and client presentations — all with purpose and intentionality.
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| 18.11.2024 |
