In 2016 nine dance makers including Ausdance National members Australian Dance Theatre and Shaun Parker & Company will meet at the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) at the Brisbane Powerhouse Brisbane from 22 to 26 February, where among other contemporary performing arts makers, they will pitch their shows to presenters from Australia and across the world.
APAM 2016: Talking dance—meet the makers
Challenging questions explored at Ausdance dance sector meetings
Ausdance coordinated a meeting of eight representatives of the nationally funded dance companies with the CEO of the Australia Council and senior staff on 12 December 2015.
The aim was multiple: to understand the further implications of the diversion of funds to the National Program for Excellence in the Arts (now Catalyst); to query the status of the vacant role of Chair of Dance, as an announcement had not been made about retaining this role; and to discuss the role of funding in sustaining the dance ecology so carefully developed over the past years.
The diversion of funds does challenge the current number of nationally funded small to medium dance companies, and the announcement of funding or otherwise in April 2016 will reveal the extent of the loss. We note the recent departure of the Australia Council Director Dance Carin Mistry and thank her for many years of dedicated championing of professional dance. We congratulate the new Arts Practice Director, Dance, Adrian Burnett, and look forward to a similarly productive relationship.
Other meetings attended include a teleconference with ArtsPeak; a teleconference convened by the MEAA at the request of freelance commercial dancers to consider minimum pay rates, which will result in a first-ever survey of this sector (think #paythedancers); and a teleconference to consult with youth theatre companies with the thought of learning for youth dance funding.
Summer Brisbane Contemporary Dance Intensive with Expressions Dance Co
- Dates: 11–15 January 2016 (Week one) and 18–22 January 2016 (Week two)
- Venue: Brisbane, Queensland (venue TBC)
- Times: 9 am–5 pm daily
- Cost: $570 per person or $1050 per person for 2 weeks
- For bookings and more info, visit Expressions Dance Company
Dance into your future at Expressions Dance Company’s Summer Brisbane Contemporary Dance Intensive (BCDI), held 11–15 and 18–22 January 2016 in Brisbane.
BCDI is regarded as one of Australia’s best contemporary dance training programs. Over the course of two weeks, you’ll have the chance to work exclusively with EDC’s award-winning dancers as well as some of Australia's most respected dance artists including Craig Bary and Kristina Chan. You’ll get to master your performance skills and deepen your ability to create unique and engaging dance, and have fun while doing it!
The 2016 Summer program has been curated by internationally celebrated dance artist Amy Hollingsworth. Amy brings her extensive skills as both a dancer, working with some of the best dance companies and choreographers, and as a rehearsal/dance director.