Sustainable careers for dance artists

The dancer’s performing life is highly focused, demanding dedicated vocational training from an early age, and it depends on time-consuming creative and physical regimes. Dance artists, in contrast with other artists, are particularly challenged when it comes to professional career development.

The dance sector still offers little choice in earning and professional development pathways to individuals who pursue a life-long career in dance.

Dance artists are extremely mobile, and sustainable careers need to include a ‘whole of life’ package that enhances wage parity, superannuation, taxation and social security reform, career development opportunities and genuine career pathways in dance. Sustained investment in programs for career development, leadership and skills sharing will ensure that the industry grows and matures to match the talent of those it attracts.

See how we are achieving this goal

Shaping the Landscape—Celebrating Dance in Australia View this project

This, the fourth book in the series Celebrating Dance in Asia and the Pacific, explores the current dance scene in Australia from a wide perspective that mirrors the creative engagement of artists with Australian culture and the landscape.

2011 National Dance Forum View this project

Some of Australia’s most exciting dancers, choreographers, curators, critics and collaborators met to discuss and reflect on the state of dance practice in Australia now, and to chart a course for the future.

Securing career opportunities and professional employment for artists View this project

SCOPE’s aim was to ensure that dance artists proactively participated in and effectively managed their own careers, education and personal development. Each of the artists worked with a professional career counsellor to develop their own career action plans. The program aimed to capture, transfer and adapt the creative capital of the individual artist to other areas of work and productivity.

Supporting the Live Performance Training Package View this project

After nation-wide research, Innovation and Business Skills Australia concluded that 'there is strong industry and community demand for national qualifications to help lift standards across the profession and set clear national benchmarks which promote consistency while maintaining flexibility'.

Dance Plan 2012 View this project

Identifies four ambitions for 2012, with a list of achievable objectives. These ambitions reflect the diversity and dynamism of dance in our communities. They require our energy and attention to ensure that dance, as an artform and an enjoyable form of recreation for all, remains at the heart of Australian life.