Group of female dancers in flowing costumes holding scarves performing a coordinated ballet with a central dancer on pointe set against a stone arch backdrop

RAD archives catalogue

About the RAD Visiting us The Wolfson Library at the RAD RAD archives catalogue

Welcome to the Royal Academy of Dance Archive  

The collections comprise the institutional heritage archives alongside the personal archives of notable figures in the history of British ballet, and special collections arranged by subject or material type. Together they represent a rich source of material predominantly covering the development of British ballet teaching and performance from the 1920s onwards. Earlier material may be found in some of the personal archives and special collections. 

The catalogue is a work-in-progress and more records will be added on a regular basis.

Explore the collections

Focus on our most popular archives

RAD Heritage Archive

Identity area

Reference code

Publication status

Published

Level of description

Sub fonds

Extent and medium

200 boxes

Date(s)

  • 1920- (Creation)

Context area

Name of creator

Royal Academy of Dance

Repository

Royal Academy of Dance

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The RAD Heritage archive dates from 1921- the first year of the Association’s operations and these early records include notes and reports for the earliest AGM’s as well as some examinations correspondence and certificates signed by all the original members of the committee from the very first examinations sessions on 9 and 10 May, 1921. The 1920s was a period of intense activity including development of both the Major and Children’s examination syllabi; the first public performances by members of the Association, the purchase of our first premises; the introduction of the first scholarships; the first overseas examinations and our first Royal Patron. This period was well documented in the Dancing Times but is supported by some early original documents in the archive. In the 1930s activities continued to expand and the introduction of the Gazette in November 1930 meant that much was documented and is available in published form. Archive material from this period is concentrated on the setting up of a Grand Council, petitioning for a Royal Charter and establishing the byelaws. From then on, the main records series and types of records preserved in the archive are: – Premises & Buildings – Minutes from various committees and sub-committee meetings – Annual reports and associated documents – Examinations syllabi material (publications) – Syllabus development material – Artistic projects files – Programmes from special events, awards and performances – Teacher training programme course materials & brochures – Photographs & video footage – Overseas development – Regional activities

Conditions of access and use area

Notes area

Note

Temporary outline
← Back to results

Holdings