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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

The special collections encompass materials that have been artificially grouped to provide a convenient resource on a particular subject (usually an individual artist or company), or a collection of material types such as photographs, programmes or rare books. Subject-based collections include resources on Tamara Karsavina and Margot Fonteyn, both important figures in the RAD’s history. Collections of material relating to Anna Pavlova and Serge Diaghilev and their companies provide important contextual information about the ballet scene at the time the RAD was founded. Photographs include portraits of individual artists and international companies while the programme collections provide comprehensive coverage of UK and overseas ballet and dance company performances.