On 1 June 2019, the Champions League final took place at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. It was watched by hundreds of millions around the world, a global event broadcast to an audience of about 350 million. Pre-game ceremonies featured exuberant displays of light, sound, and color, all carefully choreographed to celebrate the moment. UEFA, that year, backed a bold ad strategy that included paying dancers for a gala performance, a plan that sparked controversy while many viewed it as a legitimate artistic showcase.
In Spain, this move sparked anger within the industry. The Performing Artists-Workers Confederation, known as ConARTE, filed a complaint with Labor Inspection, while many professionals released videos directed at UEFA to protest the arrangement. UEFA maintained that their approach complied with the law, and the plan moved forward. Of the 200 volunteers initially sought, 140 participated for free, with some volunteers and workers assigned through staffing agencies due to age restrictions, and 60 waiters being repurposed as impromptu dancers for the night.
Incidents like this were not isolated. Across major events and productions that handle billions in revenue annually, dancers often faced low or unpaid compensation for performances. Similar concerns surfaced at Barcelona’s 080 Fashion Week and the Goya Awards gala. Even television programs tied to big-name acts, such as the MTV appearance with Rihanna in Madrid, reportedly required dancers to perform for modest compensation. These examples underscored a broader precarity within Spain’s dance sector, where many see dancers as the most vulnerable link in the performing arts chain. Low-paid or unpaid work framed as experience or exposure, long hours, and discriminatory practices on set were common, along with ongoing health concerns that often went unrecognized professionally. The demanding nature of the craft, which demands years of training, could also push performers out of the field as they reached their thirties.
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As César Casares, president of the Madrid Dance Professionals Association (APDCM) and a representative of ConARTE, explains, the line between art and labor rights is frequently crossed in this field. A senior figure in Spain’s dance community, Casares notes that even large events like UEFA Champions League, 080 Fashion Week, and the Goya Awards have involved pressure to fix conditions that shortchange dancers. He acknowledges that, in some cases, changes began to take shape, but the broader pattern of underpayment and risk persisted.
According to Casares, the industry sees some entities attempting to push free rehearsals and unpaid gigs, including appearances similar to a Barcelona Apollo-like season in which dancers are asked to work without fair compensation. He points to Bollywood shoots in Mallorca where dancers were treated as extras and paid nominally, illustrating a pattern of exploitation that stretches beyond a single production.
Recent years have also brought difficult moments for dancers and choreographers, as the pandemic and related layoffs reduced earning opportunities. A common complaint involved contracts that left dancers stuck on minimal pay while carrying the responsibilities of high-pressure work, rehearsals, and travel. The core issue, many experts agree, is the tension between the passion to perform and the harsh realities of compensation that do not reflect the skill and risk involved.
César highlights the essence of professional work in dance: dedicated performers want to dance, build repertoire, and gain stage experience. When pay is consistently suppressed, some companies exploit the situation, knowing that others will fill the void. Miguel Galacho, a Malaga-born choreographer and head of Elite Studio Madrid, emphasizes this dynamic, noting a divide between commercial dance and more established forms like musical theatre, where agreements more closely protect dancers. He also stresses the importance of recognizing commercial dance as a legitimate profession rather than a hobby.
Cruz García, a prominent dancer and instructor, speaks from experience about the toughest abuses in the commercial dance sector. He argues that the problem is not limited to individual productions, but is tied to an industry structure that can leave dancers unprotected if they lack agency or representation. In comparison, some regions enjoy more robust systems for casting and protection, a contrast acknowledged by Albert Sala, a Catalan choreographer who spent substantial time working in Britain. In Spain, many dancers still navigate the system alone, without agents or formal support networks to advocate for fair terms.
The reality and the solution
Several voices contend that accountability is lacking because dancers rarely unite to press for better terms or to uphold agreed standards. The situation in Spain contrasts with steps taken in the United States, where dance associations have renewed commitments to improve conditions. The question remains: what would an effective dancer’s agreement look like in Spain, and how could it protect performers from harassment and unfair treatment per shot or per rehearsal?
Industry leaders suggest a framework that accounts for seasonality and variable workloads typical in dance work. They argue for clear rules about compensation, travel and daily allowances, and recognition of long-term contributions through pensions and benefits. The discussion also covers the medical and physical toll of dance, with calls to treat occupational injuries and wear-and-tear as legitimate concerns deserving safeguards and support systems for aging dancers.
Catalan voices within the APDMC stress the need to formalize standards and require consistent adherence across all employers. There is optimism that ongoing discussions among stakeholders, including the Inter-ministerial Commission for the Status of the Artist, will lead to concrete measures and a recognized charter. The aim is to ensure that the artist’s status is clarified and that protections reach practical applications within courts and regulatory bodies. Pending a firm timeline, the dance community continues to push for improved working conditions as concerts, festivals, and other opportunities resume with greater demand for professional dancers.