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News: February 2026

Ausdance submission to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee

by Ausdance published on

Inquiry into the National Cultural Policy 2025

Late last year Ausdance made a submission on behalf of the national Ausdance network in support of Australia’s dance ecosystem—artists, educators, Cultural dance leaders, companies, studios, festivals, community organisations and allied health partners across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

We welcomed the Committee’s targeted interest in (a) tax reform and productivity, and (b) emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI).

Our positions are grounded in prior Ausdance submissions (national, state and territory), sector research on valuing the arts, First Nations consultations, and lived experiences of dance professionals, workers, practitioners and small businesses.

The Ausdance national network also applauds and supports ANA’s (A New Approach) “Imagine 2035” call for a National Arts, Culture & Creativity Plan and urges its adoption alongside the National Cultural Policy. Such a plan should include a Strategy-on-a-Page, clear outcomes and measurements, and be underpinned by ongoing collaborations across all levels of government (federal, state, territory, local) and with First Nations leadership.

In recognising culture’s role in addressing major societal challenges we recommend policy settings and funding programs that explicitly allow for arts responses with social / environmental purpose, not only economic outputs.

Read the submission.

Prepared for Australian Dance Council, Ausdance Inc (National)
Email Julie Englefield: Tel. 0426296050

WITH
Australian Dance Council, Ausdance (ACT) Inc
Australian Dance Council, Ausdance (QLD) Inc
Australian Dance Council, Ausdance (SA) Inc
Australian Dance Council, Ausdance (VIC) Inc
Australian Dance Council, Ausdance (WA) Inc

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International Young Choreographers Project 2026

by Ausdance published on

Applications from emerging Australian choreographers are now being called for this international opportunity.

Ausdance is calling for applications for the 2026 International Young Choreographer Program.

The IYCP has been providing young choreographers with this invaluable artistic and cultural experience since 1999.

Closing date is very tight this year – 18 February 2026.

About the International Young Choreographer Project

The International Young Choreographer Project (IYCP) is held in southern Taiwan in July/August and is hosted by World Dance Alliance Asia–Pacific Taiwan chapter. Eight choreographers from the Asia-Pacific region are chosen by WDA Asia Pacific (WDAAP) to attend. Victorian choreographer Callum Mooney was selected for the last IYCP. He said:

IYCP was an incredible opportunity for creative growth and cultural exchange. The dancers I had for my development were very special movers and people, and I have made long-term connections with them. There was a performance outcome of my short work equilibrium that was presented for IYCP in Kaohsiung (photo below by Tsun-Yang TSUI).
The cultural exchange of the different choreographers from different parts of the Asia–Pacific region was beautiful. I learned a lot and shared many amazing moments. I have luckily been asked by the organisers to come back to Taiwan to create and teach for the school in the coming years.

Participants are selected from a list of young choreographers recommended by World Dance Alliance country chapters (Asia Pacific, including Australia, the Americas and Europe), based not only on their choreographic work, but also on their ability to meet the challenges of working in a foreign country with unfamiliar dancers and culture, and their potential as a significant contributor to dance in the future.

The selected choreographers work with selected dancers from Taiwan. The three-week process of developing new works with local Taiwanese dancers concludes with two performances. The program highlights the diversity of dance in both styles and cultures, and how local and international choreographers perceive their daily lives and the world.

Participants must fund their own travel to Taiwan. However, in addition to a $US800 grant, accommodation, local transportation, dancers, studios, publicity, production and office assistance are included.

Australian applicants must be members of Ausdance (find your local Ausdance).

Information for applicants

Application forms are available here, and should be returned to Ausdance National by 18 February.

In addition to contact information, applicants will be asked these questions:

  • What you would gain from a professional experience such as this?
  • Why would you like to work in Asia?
  • A brief concept of your proposed work.
  • A 200-word biography and a resume/CV.

Closing date: 18 February 2026.

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