News: July 2023

National Cultural Policy – a progress report

by Ausdance published on

The Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy—Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, is a 5-year plan to renew and revive Australia's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors. 

Revive was launched in January this year, and the federal Office for the Arts has now provided a progress report which will continue to be updated on its site.

Revive is structured around five interconnected pillars:

  • First Nations First: Recognising and respecting the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia's arts and culture.
  • A Place for Every Story: Reflecting the breadth of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as the creators of culture.
  • Centrality of the Artist: Supporting the artist as worker and celebrating artists as creators.
  • Strong Cultural Infrastructure: Providing support across the spectrum of institutions which sustain our arts, culture and heritage.
  • Engaging the Audience: Making sure our stories connect with people at home and abroad.

This progress report updates actions on each of the five pillars that form the basis of the policy.

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Annual General Meeting update

by Ausdance published on

Ausdance National held its Annual General Meeting on Monday 26 June via Zoom.

The Acting Chair, Cathy Adamek, presented the Ausdance National 2022 Annual Report, and the audited accounts were presented by Treasurer Sebastien Ananian-Cooper.

Subsequent to the meeting, the AN Board met and elected the following office bearers for the forthcoming period: 

  • Jacob Williams (President)
  • Cathy Adamek (Vice President)
  • Isla Gibson (Vice President)
  • Charl van der Walt (Treasurer - co-opted as per section 4.1.2 of the Constitution)
  • Julie Dyson AM and Natalie Allen (board directors)
  • Jane Pamenter (Public Officer: non-board position)

Ausdance National is in a period of review and transition at present, and we thank Ausdance network members and others for their contribution and input to this process with consultant Tony Grybowski.

As a result of this review, the AN board has decided to maintain the organisation to undertake a limited number of activities within its financial resources and by optimising the skills of its small Board of Directors.

In the meantime, Ausdance National is fulfilling basic governance requirements, financial management of funds and bequests, attendance at sector advocacy meetings, maintaining important lines of communication with the Ausdance network and partner relationships (Aon/NAAE/TDCA/WDA).

The review’s recommendations will be further progressed by coordinating a national gathering with members of the Ausdance network in the near future.

Updates were provided on the work of the Tertiary Dance Council of Australia, the National Advocates for Arts Education, the National Dance Forum and the Australian Dance Awards. The need for strong national advocacy for dance was also noted.

The Board acknowledged the significant contribution made over many years by Sebastian Ananian-Cooper, who stepped down at the AGM, and Lizzie Vilmanis for her contribution as Board President in 2021-22.

Thanks also to Cathy Adamek for her work as Acting Board President over the past five months.

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