Support dance

Support the future of dance and be part of its story

The Royal Academy of Dance has inspired dancers, teachers, and communities around the world for over a century. By joining our Friends scheme, you help ensure that this legacy continues to grow, innovate, and reach people from all over the world.

Why become a Friend?

As a Friend, you help to:

• Keep dance accessible – Your contribution helps open the studio doors to young people who might otherwise never have the chance to dance.
• Nurture emerging talent – Friends play a vital role in funding scholarships, training opportunities, and programmes that shape the next generation of dancers and educators.
• Protect a global cultural legacy – The RAD’s standards and syllabi are recognised worldwide. Your support helps preserve this heritage while empowering the Academy to innovate for the future.
• Strengthen communities – Dance builds confidence, connection, and wellbeing. Friends help the RAD deliver outreach initiatives that bring these benefits to communities across the globe.

Your impact

Becoming a Friend means believing in the transformative power of movement. It means championing creativity, opportunity, and excellence. It means standing with an organisation that changes lives — one dancer at a time.

Become a Friend

Start donating to the RAD from just £5 a month, and you’ll become a much-valued Friend. Our Friends help us discover talent, widen access, and champion the art of dance. 

You’ll join a growing community of dance lovers, hear from us about how we’re inspiring the world to dance, and get some exciting insider access in return for your support.  

Our Friends donate over £5 a month and receive:  

• A regular newsletter 
• An annual impact report 
• Access to the Dance Gazette online magazine 
• 10% discount in the RAD shop*

Become a Silver Friend

If you want to get even closer to the RAD, consider becoming a Silver Friend with a donation of £1,000 a year, or £83 a month. You’ll receive:  

• An invitation for two to our annual exclusive New Years Drinks at the RAD HQ in London, where you’ll meet the RAD team and dance industry stars  
• Twice annual invitations to watch RAD Solo Seal exams, the highest achievement of the RAD syllabus, and an exclusive opportunity to spot ballet stars of tomorrow  
• Personalised booking for The Fonteyn, with two invitations to the exclusive post-Final reception  
• A personal contact in the RAD fundraising team  
• 20% discount in the RAD shop*

*Friends receive 10% off the entire range. Silver Friends are entitled to 20% off non-syllabus products in the RAD shop, as well as 10% off syllabus resources, uniforms and eBooks. All levels must ensure they have logged into their shop account to receive their discount or provide their confirmation email when visiting the shop at RAD HQ.

Patrons’ Circle 

“Become a Patron and help us inspire the next generation to dance” – Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, President, Royal Academy of Dance  

To support the RAD is to join a community that has taught and inspired dancers for over 100 years. Our Patrons join the heart of our community and get the inside track on the world of dance.  

There are three suggested giving levels for Patrons: 

“I hope you will join me in supporting such an incredible organisation with a wonderful history and a fantastic vision for the future.” – Lady Dorfman, Honorary Patron, Royal Academy of Dance 

This is the pinnacle of RAD support, for those wishing to engage at the highest level with the future of dance. 

Alexander Campbell is the Artistic Director of the RAD. He creatively guides and maintains the syllabus and upholds global standards for training. Artistic Director’s Circle donors have direct access to Alexander and hear the latest from the RAD directly from his team. They receive invitations to dine with our Chair and Chief Executive, and have potential access to naming rights.  

Suggested donations at this level are £25,000 p.a. and above.  

At the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), we have been teaching the world to dance for over one hundred years. Every day, all around the world, people learn to dance with us and experience the joy and inspiration that dance brings into their lives. 

If you’d like to help ensure that the RAD can continue to shape the future of dance, we’d very much like you to consider leaving a gift to us in your will. Generations of people, young and old, can experience the joys of dance. 

“Leaving a legacy to the Royal Academy of Dance would mean so much and have a real, lasting impact. Our work takes the benefits and joys of dance into diverse communities to materially affect lives and wellbeing, and your generosity will allow us to reach so many more people.”
Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance

Support the RAD by naming a seat in the Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre, name it after your dance school, an inspirational teacher, or a loved one.