The Leipzig Dance Archive (Tanzarchiv Leipzig - TAL) contains collections on German expressive dance (especially Rudolf von Laban), the history of dance in the GDR and the period of transformation, and Eastern European countries. The dance archive was founded in 1957 at the Central House of Folk Art of the GDR in Leipzig by Kurt Petermann. Under his leadership, it developed into an internationally recognized documentation and information center for all areas of dance. In 1975, the TAL was affiliated with the Academy of Arts of the GDR as a branch office and expanded to include numerous collections on modern dance of the 1920s and 30s. In 1992, the TAL was transferred to the state of Saxony for further use and preservation under the state treaty on the dissolution of the Academy of Arts of the former German Democratic Republic and the preservation of the Leipzig Dance Archive. This led to the founding of the Tanzarchiv Leipzig e.V. association in 1993. In 2011, responsibility for the holdings was transferred to the University Library of Leipzig.
 

Among other things, the German Dance Bibliography, a standard work for dance research, was compiled and published at the TAL, as was the Documenta Choreologica reprint series featuring historical dance writings. The TAL's holdings and media are divided into three groups: specialist library (approx. 6,000 volumes and numerous current journals), collections (films, sound recordings, videos, DVDs, photos, posters, programs, postcards, newspaper clippings, etc.) and bequests (including partial bequests and other collections relating to individuals).

The dance archive's holdings are located in the Leipzig University Library (main building Albertina, Beethovenstraße 6, 04107 Leipzig), where they are accessible as part of the special collections in the specially equipped research reading room on the 4th floor after prior reservation (sondersammlungen@ub.uni-leipzig.de). Research can be conducted via the University Library's online catalog (https://www.ub.uni-leipzig.de) and the Kalliope archive database (https//kalliope-verbund.info/).

Further information on current research projects, networks, and events can be found on the Leipzig Dance Archive website. If you have any questions or comments, or would like further advice, cooperation, etc., please contact the office of the Tanzarchiv Leipzig e.V. association (4th floor, Nikolaistr. 6–10, Strohsackpassage, 04109 Leipzig, by email: info@tanzarchiv-leipzig.de).