Ausdance National Council President’s update – Nov 2017

While it only feels like yesterday that the 2017 Australian Dance Award winners were announced, nominations for the 2018 ADAs have opened! You can find information on selection criteria, an eligible works list, and a link to the nominations page at Australian Dance Awards 2018. The awards ceremony will be produced by partner Ausdance QLD and held in Brisbane in August 2018. Stay tuned for the confirmed dates and further information on this important ‘night of nights’ for the Australian Dance community.

For those that were in attendance at the 2017 National Dance Forum – ‘Dance in the Digital Domain’, keep an eye out for a survey that will arrive in your inboxes shortly. The NDF 2017 program was action-packed, and now that everyone has had a bit of time to digest and reflect on all the inspiring and thought-provoking presentations, it will be important to hear from you about what worked well and what might be done differently for next time!

The Australian Alliance for Wellness in Entertainment (AAWE), launched on World Mental Health Day (10th October), has gained impressive cross-sector support! A significant number of organisations and individuals have signed up as members, with the national AAWE Roadshow about to commence. For further information on the events across the country, please visit their website.

Ausdance National continues to work with the broader arts sector in supporting and advocating for dance. Working closely with colleagues from the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) and Symphony Australia, an individual submission for dance was made in October in response to the consultation by the Federal Government on the Skilled Migration Occupation Lists regarding 457 Visas. Additionally, Julie Dyson, Ausdance National’s representative for a range of peak arts bodies, provides an update below regarding sector activities, issues and advocacy.

The Safe Dance Report IV will soon be released, which will provide a critical snapshot of issues related to injuries in professional dancers in Australia. Building upon the previous Safe Dance Reports, this current research by Amy Jo Vassallo has identified important information that will advance the knowledge, application and education of all within our sector to ensure safe dance practice continues to support the health and wellbeing of our dancing careers.

Have a wonderful month of November!