Ausdance National

We lead a network of Ausdance organisations that deliver integrated programs across the country, anticipating industry issues and providing innovative and inclusive responses.

Ausdance National now operates as a voluntary organisation, and continues its work through its own National projects and programs. Read about our contributions to the Australian dance sector

Through advocacy, Ausdance National aims to:

  • Lead and shape dance policy development and debate.
  • Provide a national voice for dance and dance education.
  • Identify and promote diverse forms of dance and dance practice.
  • Encourage access to and understanding of dance.
  • Foster national and international links with dance and dance-related organisations.

Contact Ausdance National

Email us and join us on TwitterFacebook and Vimeo.

Board

President: Jacob Williams (NSW)

Dr Cathy Adamek (ACT) Vice President

Isla Gibson (NSW) Vice President

Charl van der Walt (NSW) Treasurer

Julie Dyson AM (ACT)

Natalie Allen (WA)

Jane Pamenter (ACT) Public Officer

 

Postal address

PO Box 45, Braddon, ACT 2612

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Publications

Australian guidelines for teaching dance

The Australian guidelines for teaching dance outlines codes of ethical and professional behaviour and emphasises the importance of safe dance practice and teaching methodology.

We designed it to help dance teachers and students by providing minimum standards, and by suggesting ways teachers can maintain or upgrade their teaching skills. Parents can use the Guidelines  to help choose a dancing school or group for their children.

Ausdance National newsletter

Published every two months, and themed around an event or popular dance topic, our email newsletter reflects on professional dance practice and shares ways for you to get involved.

Articles

2018 year in review—Ausdance National

In 2018 our annual program focused on sector advocacy, professional development for dance artists and celebrating excellence in Australian dance.

Thank you to our members, partners and supporters across Australia who contributed to the success of our 2018 program.

Here are the highlights.

Meet Ausdance National Treasurer Libby Walsh

Libby is our new Ausdance National Treasurer. She is a highly experienced and skilled individual who has taken charge of the finances of your national peak body and is continuing its work. 

We asked Libby how she got started in dance and why she believes a national dance advocacy organisation is important for Australian dance.

2017 year in review — Ausdance National

Ausdance National's 2017 in review: 

—Ausdance membership nominates a new Ausdance National Council
—published Exploring identities in dance—international dance education research collection
—prepared advocacy and submissions
—produced Safe Dance Report IV: Investigating injuries in Australia’s professional dancers
—celebrated Ausdance's 40th anniversary
—presented National Dance Forum in partnership with Ausdance Victoria
—coordinated 2017 Australian Dance Awards nominations
—awarded Ausdance Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship to Kristina Chan

Creating Pathways keynote speech by Raymond Blanco

What is contemporary Indigenous dance? When did this term become associated with our culture, our dance? Or is it Indigenous Contemporary? Have we an Historical Dance Culture or are we living a Dance Culture History? Do we make now from then or is it from then now? For some of us exposure to contemporary Indigenous dance came from television. If we were really lucky we had a group of dancers come to our town and teach and perform at our schools, and for the unlucky our only exposure came from Bangarra.

Creating Pathways—a collective vision and direction for the future of Indigenous dance

Lydia Miller discusses ongoing vision of successive generations of Indigenous artists. The cultural renaissance in Indigenous arts and culture began in the 1980s with the emergence of a critical mass of young, vibrant Indigenous artists who took to the stages and the galleries with the electric energy that is synonymous with Indigenous artists. Dance, theatre, music and visual arts emerged onto the national arts landscape with the edginess, candour, vibrancy and challenge of these young Indigenous minds, bodies, and spirits.

Patrick (Lucky) Lartey receives Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship

Patrick (Lucky) Lartey is a Sydney-based dancer and choreographer, originally from Ghana, West Africa. In September this year he was awarded the Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship, which provides financial assistance for an emerging choreographer to travel internationally with the sole purpose of developing and extending their choreographic practice.

Our top 2014 moments in dance

What better way to wrap up our year in dance than to recall some of the big 2014 moments in dance.

This year dance gave us much celebrating—what a wonderful way to spend a year! We honoured the discipline and dedication of our professional dance artists. We danced to make us happier and healthier. We saw dance used for rehabilitation. We made dance that celebrated all bodies. We watched dance that challenged our ideas about what dance should be. We were excited by new choreographic talent. We were inspired by the latest Australian dance thinking on show at the 2014 World Dance Alliance Global Summit. We celebrated big birthdays and said goodbye to old friends.

Accented Body

Arguably the largest and most complex independent project of this nature staged in Australia, Dr Cheryl Stock's accented body was a project of small break-through discoveries and ongoing creative partnerships.

5 dancing TED talks you don’t want to miss!

Humanoid robots performing a surprisingly emotive performance, emerging global street-dance culture, revved up by the Internet, a choreographer's creative process in real time, Angela Patton: A father-daughter dance ... in prison and Matt Cornell demonstrates the power of movement and its effect on our state of being.

Australian dance touring programs, networks and resources

Dance touring in Australia is supported and delivered by touring and support organisations who deliver government funded touring programs and/or work with the many networks of presenting venues and tour coordinators. Here we briefly outline touring programs, mechanisms and industry organisations.

Study dance in Australia

These universities and colleges offer full-time, specialist, post-secondary dance courses staffed by former artistic directors, choreographers, dancers and lecturers who train some of Australia's best dancers and dance teachers.

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