Well, if you're working as an independent dance producer, manager, project manager, administrator or similar, or as a self-producing artist - basically, as someone who spends far too much of your time in front of a computer screen - then why would you NOT join?

IDMN is a network for independent producery types, aiming to create a community to help combat the isolation we can all feel, and to provide network support, solidarity, knowledge-sharing, information-sharing, networking and peer advice as well as key resources from each other and from other organisations such as ITC, One Dance UK, PANDA, ISAN, FundingCentral and National Rural Touring Forum.

Want to keep up to date with industry news and information? We've got that covered. Want to find out what's happening and changing across the sector? Ditto. Looking for more work? We can probably help with that too.

Most importantly, producers need to be provided with professional development at all stages of their career, and that's at the heart of what we do, through a range of training workshops, events, talks, coaching, mentoring and shadowing, to ensure we can offer upskilling to all our members. Our training programme is advised by our members, which is another very good reason to join.

We also want to be more active regionally, so with the more members we attract, the more events we'll be able to hold around the country, including networking and social events, as networks are strengthened when we spend time with each other.

If you're new to producing, or a student or graduate, please don't let that put you off, as you'll be very welcome and we have a wealth of knowledge and resources to share with you.

If you have any spare capacity, we'd like to be able to offer the services of some of our members to artists through 1-to-1 sessions and adhoc work, which is ideal for artists who are between producers or deciding who to work with, so if this appeals to you, please let us know.

If you're interested in advocating for the freelance sector, then that's all the more reason to join, as IDMN is ideally-positioned to campaign and advise on behalf of independents, and we're keen to attract more members who are interested in taking part in this work.

Finally, IDMN is undergoing a period of change, so this is an ideal time to help steer the future of IDMN and its work, if you'd be interested in joining our Executive Committee, or if you'd simply like to share your thoughts along the way.

We have a range of membership packages on offer for independent producers (etc), self-producing artists, corporates, students and graduates, including trial and group memberships, as well as a discounted online-only membership. To find out more about what we offer, you can visit www.idmn.co.uk/membership.html, and you can sign up here: www.idmn.co.uk/join.html. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If we still haven't persuaded you, we have a directory of dance producers which we'd love for you to add your profile to - free of charge - to help signpost people in search of (elusive) dance producers. And we'd welcome hearing what IDMN can do differently in order to make it more attractive for you to join.

With your help, we can strengthen the support for independent producers and artists, raise the profile and visibility of dance producers, and campaign on behalf of best practice for independent artists and the wider independent sector - so please join our community. After all, the more of us there are working together, the stronger we can be.