We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Inês Duarte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Inês, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I believe the biggest risk I’ve taken was moving away from my home country. I was living in Lisbon, where I had begun to establish myself as a professional dancer and dance teacher. I was starting to feel stable with a good balance of commercial jobs and teaching opportunities. However, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to move to London.

I had been planning this move for some time, gathering all the necessary resources. Yet, as soon as I arrived, the pandemic struck, forcing me to return to Lisbon for several months. It wasn’t until September that I could move back to London, as things began to reopen and dance spaces became available again.

Reflecting on this transition, I realize how challenging it was. Not only was I starting anew in a different country, but I was doing so amidst a global crisis with no clear end in sight.

At times, I wonder how my career would have progressed had I stayed in Lisbon. I might have secured more opportunities as a dancer and possibly as a choreographer for larger-scale shows and commercials. My career path had been advancing towards creation and leadership roles. But I knew inherently that I wanted to challenge myself to something bigger, pushing my craft to a higher level. This required stepping out of my comfort zone, both literally and metaphorically, and moving beyond the limitations of what was immediately in front of me.

By widening my range of options and starting over in a space with more opportunities, I allowed myself to think bigger and recognize my potential. I needed to be in an environment that would push me to develop and grow, even if it meant facing uncertainty and starting from scratch.

Moving to London was a significant risk and a huge professional challenge. I didn’t know anyone well, except for a few Portuguese creatives who had moved there years earlier and were crucial in my initial adjustment. I was unfamiliar with the local dance scene, the leading figures, and the best classes to take. Everything was new.

From my perspective, both staying in Lisbon and moving to London were risks. However, staying posed a greater risk of becoming demotivated, uninspired, and stagnant in my growth as a dancer. Moving, on the other hand, risked losing the opportunities I was close to securing in Lisbon and distancing myself from my connections there. While I retained strong friendships, many surface-level connections and job prospects faded.

Visiting Lisbon now feels challenging, as reconnecting with the scene is difficult. I don’t always feel welcomed, except by close friends and students who still appreciate my classes, for which I am very grateful.

In summary, while I may have lost opportunities to build a steady career in Portugal, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I still have a long path ahead and many milestones to achieve, but I believe in taking risks, aiming high, and challenging myself in a competitive environment. This keeps me motivated and continually improving.

I would rather be a small fish in a vast ocean with room to grow than a big fish in a small pond limited by the brims around me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Thank you for allowing me to share a bit of myself through “Canvas Rebel.” I am excited to introduce my journey and craft to you and your readers. My name is Ines, and I am a professional dancer, creative, and teacher originally from Lisbon, now based in London, UK.

My dance journey began around 13 years ago in Lisbon, where I trained in a variety of dance genres, including Contemporary and Modern Jazz. However, I focused primarily on street dance styles such as Popping, Locking, House, Hip-Hop, Waacking, Voguing, and Dancehall. Among these, I specialized in Popping, Hip-Hop, and House as my main styles due to my strong preference for them.

Upon moving to London, my training goals shifted slightly due to the wider availability of certain types of classes. I began focusing more on commercial dance styles, such as Jazz Funk and Heels.

Alongside my training, I started developing creative work, which led to the creation of concept videos, small independent performances, and eventually teaching. Among all the aspects of my career, the creative and choreographic work stands out as the highlight, though I deeply value each facet of my professional life.

My creative work focuses on developing storylines with an emphasis on the aesthetic value and strength of imagery, visuals, and movement to convey a story, emotion, or simply a moment of dance in its purest form.

I am also honing my skills in direction, filmmaking, and editing, aiming to capture movement on camera at a higher level. This expansion of my expertise not only enhances my work but also provides me with more opportunities as an all-around creative professional.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem through a multifaceted approach. One of the most significant challenges faced by dance artists and creatives is securing financial resources for their projects. Governments, private organisations, and philanthropic entities should increase grants, scholarships, and funding opportunities dedicated to the arts. This financial support would allow artists to focus more on their creative processes rather than on financial survival.

Simplifying the process of finding and securing sponsorships would greatly benefit independent artists who may not have a large following. Establishing platforms or networks that connect artists with potential sponsors can help bridge this gap. These platforms can include databases of potential sponsors, templates for proposals, and guidance on how to approach sponsors.

Providing promotional support for independent artists is crucial. Media outlets, both traditional and digital, should allocate space and resources to showcase emerging talents. Creating dedicated segments or platforms for independent artists can help them reach wider audiences. Social media campaigns and partnerships with influencers can also play a role in giving these artists the visibility they need.

Ensuring that artists have access to affordable rehearsal spaces, studios, and equipment is essential. Subsidising the cost of these resources can help alleviate some of the financial burdens. Additionally, providing free or low-cost access to professional development resources, such as workshops and mentorship programs, can help artists enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Building a supportive community around the arts can have a tremendous impact. Encouraging local businesses to collaborate with artists on projects, offering community spaces for performances and exhibitions, and fostering a culture of appreciation for the arts can create a more nurturing environment for creatives. Educational institutions can also play a role by integrating arts education into their curricula and supporting young artists from an early age.

Society should work towards recognising and validating the contributions of artists. This includes acknowledging the economic, cultural, and social value that the arts bring to communities. Awards, public acknowledgments, and inclusion in significant cultural events can help in validating the efforts of artists.

By addressing these areas, society can create a more supportive environment for artists and creatives, allowing them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the cultural fabric of our communities.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are many aspects of my work that I could talk about, starting with the exhilaration of stepping onto a big arena, the intensity of the nervousness before hitting the stage, and the process of connecting with fellow dancers and production crew members during rehearsals. The entire journey of building up a show is incredibly satisfying.

As an artist who deeply values creative projects and the materialization of ideas, another significant aspect is seeing the final result of your work, whether it’s a completed show or the final edit of a concept video built from scratch. These projects demand substantial effort in creation, storyboarding, overall management of each step, and execution. They can sometimes take as long as one or two years to complete, especially in the case of a short film or a complex concept video that requires extensive preparation, rehearsal, costumes, and long shooting times.

However, once these projects are finally out and ready to be streamed, published, or posted, all the effort and sleepless nights are worth it. The satisfaction of seeing your vision come to life and being able to share it with an audience is immensely rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inestavaresduarte.com
• Instagram: @inesduartee_
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• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inestavaresduarte4095
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Image Credits

– Amy Cook @amycook_photography
– Anastasiia Artiushok @deerecting.prod
– Mafalda Ratola @mechanicaldevil