ArtsPeak Arts Sector Update #1 2016—an invitation to sector meetings and the Election Debate
Welcome! ArtsPeak is producing a series of National Arts Sector Updates in the lead-up to the Federal election in July. This work picks up on last year's Free the Arts updates and is being delivered as part of our partnership with Feral Arts. A National Election Strategy Group is coordinating the work. Membership is open to anyone. If you would like to get involved email [email protected]
Please share this update in your networks and with your members.
New low as Government pumps Catalyst funds out the door in blatant pre-election pork barreling
ArtsPeak Media Release (45 KB PDF)
9 May 2016
The arts sector is reeling today at news that an extraordinary $13m in Catalyst funds were secretly pushed out the door over the weekend just in advance of the election being called and caretaker mode beginning.
In total $23,317,301 has now been spent – nearly half the $48m allocated for the next 4 years of Catalyst operations. When Senate Estimates sat last Thursday evening the committee were only made aware of the $10m of grants announced by Arts Minister Mitch Fifield last week.
Government turns its back on the opportunity to fix arts funding mess
ArtsPeak—Confederation of Peak National Arts Organisations
Media Release, 4 May 2016 (31KB PDF)
Hopes that the government would take the opportunity to fix the mess it created twelve months ago were dashed, with no mention of arts and culture in the pre-election Budget handed down in Canberra last night.
ArtsPeak spokesperson and Executive Director of the National Association for the Visual Arts, Tamara Winikoff OAM said, “Unfortunately when it comes to the arts, it seems this government is not concerned about forcing job losses and causing chaos, the very opposite of the PM’s mantra about jobs and growth. The 2016 Budget does nothing to redress the devastating impact of the cuts to the Australia Council and ongoing ‘efficiency dividend’ imposed by the government in 2014 and 2015. The cuts total more than $42 million/year. Massive destabilisation of the arts industry is resulting from decisions made by the current government, and without any policy framework, it looks set to continue.”
2016 Australian Dance Awards longlist
This longlist of nominations, along with recorded excerpts of performances, goes to the Selection Panel who will vote to shortlist their top four contenders in each category.
Not every single nomination will appear on this list. A long, unedited list (up to 550 nominations each year) is carefully scrutinised by the ADAs advisors and members of the Selection Panel to eliminate any nominations that do not meet all the Selection Criteria.
As the panel looks at excerpts of all nominated work before deciding on a shortlist, it is essential for the committee to keep only the most outstanding/significant nominations so that it remains a manageable task. The committee also takes care to ensure that the professional dance sector is well represented across all states and territories.
The ADAs Selection Panel members not only generously donote their time and expertise, but do so with great diligence and consideration. Without them the ADAs would not be possible.
The shortlist will be announced about mid July, with winners announced at the 2016 Australian Dance Awards in Perth on Sunday 18 September.
ArtsPeak calls for Government to act on Senate Inquiry recommendations
Media Release 7 March 2016
ArtsPeak (the confederation of Australian national peak arts organisations and state arts industry councils), at its meeting on Wednesday 2nd March, called on the Commonwealth Government to urgently provide a positive public response to the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the impact of the 2014 and 2015 Commonwealth Budget decisions on the Arts.
At the meeting ArtsPeak reaffirmed its full endorsement of all 13 recommendations made in the Inquiry report, highlighting two in particular that need an urgent response before the upcoming election: that the government develop and articulate an evidence-based, coherent and clear arts policy in consultation with the arts sector and that the Commonwealth government restore to the Australia Council the full amount of funds diverted from it in the 2014 MYEFO and 2014 and 15 Budgets (see full set of Senate Inquiry Recommendations attached).
Co-convenor of ArtsPeak, Nicole Beyer said today, “The time to act is now. It has been three months since the Senate Inquiry report was handed down and there has been no action from the government to implement any of the recommendations. Arts companies across the country are now starting to fail, tours are being cancelled and projects abandoned. The government needs to take responsibility, and to make clear public announcements about its intended actions in response the report.”
ArtsPeak Co-convenor Tamara Winikoff OAM agreed, 'What the Minister is being told loud and clear is that the Government’s funding cuts are destabilising the arts infrastructure to a major extent and this needs to be fixed urgently. Despite a token gesture by the Arts Minister, the cuts are incrementally crippling both small to medium arts organisations and major cultural institutions in Canberra.'
Winikoff continued, 'In an election year the arts sector is looking to the government to act quickly and decisively to properly fix the mess it has created over the last two years. Implementing the Senate Inquiry recommendations is a vital first step. The May budget is the government’s window of opportunity to restore arts funding and regain the trust of artists, organisations and arts audiences and supporters across the country.'
The Senate Inquiry recommendations encapsulated the sentiments of almost 3000 submissions from individuals and organisations as well as hundreds of people who spoke at the public hearings conducted in 10 cities around the country.
The volume of the Inquiry response and the weight and unanimity of opinion is unprecedented in the arts in Australia. It has led to a new mood of motivation and co-operation across the whole arts community to ensure that the stability and sustainability of the arts is restored.
For media comment please contact: Nicole Beyer, Director, Theatre Network Australia 0432 609 658 Tamara Winikoff OAM, Executive Director, National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) 0411 162 156 / 02 9368 1900
Recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the impact of the 2014 and 2015
Recommendation 1
5.8 The committee recommends that the government develop and articulate, in consultation with the arts sector, a coherent and clear arts policy, including priorities for arts funding supported by evidence-based analysis, and greater clarity about the respective roles of the Ministry for the Arts and the Australia Council, as well as the other statutory arts bodies.
Ausdance responds to Royal Commission’s public hearing into Centres for the Performing Arts
1 March 2016
Statement regarding hearings by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Public hearing into Centres for the Performing Arts
2 March 2016
Ausdance holds the position that any abuse of a child—sexual, physical or emotional—is abhorrent. A dance studio or class is not isolated from the rest of society, no matter how special it may appear or feel. Studio owners and class teachers, like teachers and activity leaders across the whole of our community, have a special responsibility for the welfare of children in their charge. This holds whether it is a small community dance class or a large commercially-oriented studio.
A dance class or studio is first and foremost a business and as such should be subject to regulatory requirements as any business providing recreational services for children. Dance is also a key art form, which in the view of Ausdance makes any abuse of the trust placed by children in their class leaders or studio principals especially serious.
Ausdance notes that the Royal Commission is not enquiring into abuse in dance studios or the entertainment industry. Rather, the Royal Commission is hearing evidence about two specific centres for the performing arts, one of which was for dance. However, Ausdance supports the invitation for anyone who believes they have a direct and substantial interest in the scope and purpose of the public hearing to contact the Royal Commission directly.
Ausdance has a series of guides and fact sheets to assist dance teachers and dance studios. Where relevant, these guides and fact sheets have links to external authorities. The guides include:
- Child safe dance, with links to the Mandatory Reporting Guide, the Australian Institute of Family Studies, and state and territory Child Protection Services and Advice.
- Australian guidelines for teaching dance developed in collaboration with dance studios and dance curriculum organisations
- Code of ethics for dance teachers
- Parents’ code of behaviour
- Professional business practice for studio teachers
- Safe Dance ® practice
- How to choose a dance school for your child
- Work health & safety for the dance industry
- Eating disorders and dancers
Ausdance re-affirms its statement of 15 December 2014 Teaching dance, supporting children.
Download this statement (210 KB PDF)
Neil Roach, A/g CEO Ausdance National
New study investigating injuries in Australia’s professional dancers
Ausdance National has joined with the University of Sydney to conduct a research study about the different types of injuries in company and independent professional dancers across Australia, their contributing risk factors, access to health services and return to dance practices.
We are looking for professional dancers to participate in this research. For more information about the study, or to be involved, please visit Safe Dance IV—Investigating injuries in Australia's professional dancers.
Please help us in spreading the word about this study by forwarding this notice to any dancers you think may be interested in participating.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Amy Vassallo, a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney.
Choreographic Practices journal: call for contributions
Key information
- Choreographic Practices is an international peer-reviewed journal.
- Full article should be approx 6,000 words.
- Deadline for full essays: 1 June 2016
- To submit a contribution email [email protected].
- For questions about the theme or focus of your submission, please email Robert Vesty (associate editor for this special issue).
This special journal issue of Choreographic Practices—WORDS and DANCE—aims to draw together, contribute to and exemplify debates around the use of spoken word in current and future 21st Century dance practices as well as its place in the contemporary cultural landscape.
What are the intersections between spoken words (in the form of live narrative, poetry, dialogue or writing) and choreographic practices?
What is the relationship between the word and the move?
How can/do spoken words and dance work together, especially in improvisatory practice?
What implications does the use of voice have in dance practice?
FINE LINE—develop dance theatre writing skills
Force Majeure and Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) have launched FINE LINE, a three-year partnership to discover the next generation of writers for dance. Led by Force Majeure's Danielle Micich and ATYP's Frasier Corfield, the program will give young writers the opportunity to develop skills in writing for the medium of dance theatre. In 2016, FINE LINE will kick off with a skills masterclass. Writers aged 18–26 interested in telling stories through dance theatre are encouraged to apply.
Skills masterclass
- Date: 5–6 March, 10 am – 4 pm at ATYP
- Expressions of interest: Complete the online application form by 5 pm Thursday 11 February.
- More info: bit.ly/1WOSt3f
Script workshops
Following on from the skills masterclass, a group of up to three young writers will be selected for a series of script workshops. Danielle Micich will mentor the selected writers on every aspect of writing for dance theatre – from research and development, to how to write for a devised work with performers, to delivering a text. These will run from 4–9 July 2016.
The final stage of the three-year FINE LINE program will be the full-scale production of one or two scripts at ATYP.
fLiNG Physical Theatre is hiring!
We are seeking an associate artist to work with Co-Artistic Director Rob McCredie to deliver our 2016/17 program. This is a maternity leave cover position for one year, from April 2016 to April 2017.
This is a full-time position offering the right person a unique insight and experience in working with a growing arts organisation. The associate artist will be creating new performance work, engaging with our vibrant community through education programs and working as part of a small and passionate team to deliver regional art at its best.
fLiNG Physical Theatre is located on the pristine Sapphire Coast in NSW. We work primarily in Bega and Tathra. And, you guessed it, there is a whole lot more happening here than just cheese!
So why work with fLiNG Physical Theatre?
- fLiNG Physical Theatre is a flagship company that produces original contemporary performance for local and national audiences.
- The associate artist will receive opportunities to develop their practice, make and present work.
- fLiNG has a strong and supportive community around us who are excited to learn.
- The associate artist will get to work with a company of young artists who are energised, inspiring, hungry for new experiences and willing to work hard!
If you are interested in this position, please download the job description.
Applications close 27 February 2016.
For more information, contact Gabrielle Rose, co-artistic director, fLiNG Physical Theatre.
Nominate now for 2017 Australian Dance Awards!
Nominations close 28 February.
Were you excited or moved by a performance in 2016? Did a particular dancer deliver a stunning performance? Perhaps you saw some outstanding and innovative choreography? Now is the time to submit your nominations for the 2017 Awards, to be presented in Melbourne in November.
You can nominate a choreographer, a dancer, a company or a piece of choreography for an Australian Dance Award.
You might like to look at the eligible works list if you need help remembering what your saw last year. This list is collated throughout the year and is intended as a reminder only. If you think a work is missing please email the nominations coordinator.
For an effective nomination in the most appropriate category, you should read the selection criteria first and be sure to provide a meaningful and concise comment about why you think a performance/performer is exceptional and worthy.
Professional writers, teachers, designers etc. working extensively in the dance sector over many years may also be nominated for an award for services or education. Nominees for a Lifetime Achievement award must be prominent senior figures in the Australian dance community who have dedicated at least 40 years to the industry.
Sydney Dance Company's Frame of Mind, shortlisted for the 2016 Award for Outstanding Performance by a Company. Photo: Peter GreigChunky Move’s NEXT MOVE 2016 EOIs now open
NEXT MOVE is our commitment to developing the next generation of leading dance makers. Since its inception, we have commissioned, produced and presented nine new works through the Next Move program, some of which have gone on to tour nationally and internationally.
In 2016, we will commission two artists to each create a new short work for the Next Move program as part of a double bill. The works will be presented over a two-week season in September 2016 at the Chunky Move Studios.
We are now calling for expressions of interest and invite Australian dance makers with a least 5 years of professional practice to apply.
For further information, download the information pack.
Expressions of Interest are due no later than midnight on Friday 29 January 2016.
Please send any questions to Ben Ryan at [email protected] or call 03 9645 5188.
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.
2016 Keir Choreographic Award finalists announced
Congratulations to the eight commissioned artists Sarah Aiken, James Batchelor, Chloe Chignell, Ghenoa Gela, Martin Hansen, Alice Heyward, Rebecca Jensen and Paea Leach.
The Award increases the profile of and cultivates new audiences for contemporary dance within Australia by commissioning and presenting new choreographic works in a competitive context.
For more information, visit Carriageworks.
World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific 2016 conference: call for performances, choreolab and symposium
In 2016, the Korean chapter of World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific (WDAAP) will host the WDAAP Annual General Meeting and surrounding activities as the event Dance routes—danced roots: connecting the local and the global. It will include showcase performances, an international choreolab and a symposium.
Key information
- Conference theme: Dance routes—danced roots: connecting the local and the global
- Conference location and date: Seoul, Korea, 21–24 July 2016
- Apply to present: performances, scholarly, performative and Pecha Kucha style presentations
- Apply to participate in the Choreolab
- Submission deadline: 10 January 2016
- Acceptance notification: 28 February 2016
- For detailed information and to apply, visit the World Dance Alliance website
Applications are now open for participation in the following events:
- Showcase Performances
- International Choreolab
- Symposium—call for proposals
The Showcase provides a concert platform for professional choreographers and performers, and pre-professional artists training in dance academies. The performances will take place in the theaters located in the ShangShin Univeristy or Arko Theater and will be open to registered participants of the WDAAP event and the general public.
The International Choreolab is designed for four emerging and mid-career choreographers to work intensively for almost one week under the mentorship of one Korean established dance artist and one internationally known choreographers (to be announced) resulting in a public showing of works in progress. You can apply to participate in the Choreolab as a choreographer or as a dancer.
The Symposium theme focuses on the idea of global and local connectivity through dance, looking at roots as well as routes that dance and dancers negotiate in different cultures of the contemporary world. Presentation formats include scholarly, performative and Pecha Kucha style presentations.
NAAE welcomes final endorsement of The Australian Curriculum: The Arts
The National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) welcomes the endorsement of The Australian Curriculum: The Arts by the Australian Education Council, and the release this week of the updated Australian Curriculum website (version 8.0).
The NAAE, which represents the five art forms included as separate subjects in the curriculum, has been campaigning for seven years on behalf of arts educators across the country. The Arts were not initially included in the national curriculum at all, and this week therefore marks a significant occasion, when The Arts are not only in the curriculum, but they include all five art forms: Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and the Visual Arts.
NAAE welcomes ACARA’s response to the Review of the Australian Curriculum, which had recommended a reduction of the Arts curriculum from five arts subject to two. In response to the review's concerns about the 'crowded curriculum', ACARA has introduced optional, single learning area achievement standards for The Arts, while keeping existing subject specific achievement standards as an alternative (NAAE's preferred option). There will be no changes to content descriptions.
The Australian Curriculum: The Arts has already received international recognition as a leader in 21st Century curriculum. Australia is in the unique position of having an Arts curriculum that provides sequential development for each art form, achieving language cohesion without homogenisation, and using appropriately more specialised language in the secondary years. The curriculum provides teachers with information for implementation support across the five art forms.
However, NAAE recognises that schools and teachers have flexibility to make decisions about how they teach the curriculum in accordance with the needs of their students, the requirements of their school and local curriculum authorities. We will continue to work on advocacy and implementation issues as the curriculum is rolled out across the country.
Working with children in performing arts—industry consultation
Working with Children in performing arts? Innovation and Business Skills Australia, in conjunction with Focus on Skills and Ausdance, is developing a working with children skill set and units of competency in performing arts.
This project will involve working with AUSDANCE to address identified gaps in the current Dance qualifications and units:
- Safe dance environments and equipment
- Dances appropriate to age groups
- Student health and wellbeing
- Regulated environment for good teaching practice and code of conduct.
The first round of industry consultation has been completed and revised drafts of the Working with Children in Performing Arts skill sets and units have been updated to reflect stakeholder feedback. A new draft unit applicable to all people working with children in performing arts environments and an additional skill set were developed in response to feedback. All materials are now available for final validation and stakeholder input. Responses are required by close of business Monday 19 October.
Draft materials f or feedback
IBSA invites final comment on the following new materials:
Skill set:
- CUASS00054 Working With Children in Performing Arts Skill Set
- CUASS00055 Assistant dance teaching skill set
Units of competency (and their assessment requirements):
- CUADTM412 Promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of children in performing arts
- CUAWHS405 Provide a safe performing arts environment for children
- CUAWHS406 Interact appropriately with children in performing arts environments
To read the draft materials for feedback, visit the Working with Children in performing arts web page on the IBSA website.
Call for applicants—a secondment/professional development program with Shaun Parker
Shaun Parker & Company is calling for applicants for its annual TRIGGER program, which will take place in December 2015.
Key information
- What: TRIGGER secondment program.
- Where: IO MYERS Theatre, University of NSW, Sydney.
- When: 9.30 am – 6.00 pm, 7–18 Dec 2015
- Who: We are looking for five dancers who were born with the XY male chromosome. ie. Male dancers or dancers born with the male XY chromosome, but who identify as being female.
- Cost: Free.
- Deadline for application: 19 October 2015
The five chosen applicants will join our company of nine dancers who will be working on the creative development of our new work XY.
The program will include a daily technique class in yoga and contemporary dance, followed by task-based improvisation processes with artistic director and award-winning choreographer Shaun Parker. This two-week workshop is free of charge and is invitation only, so please ensure that you submit a strong application for selection.
Shaun Parker will be using this time to develop the skills of the applicants, as well as looking for dancers for various projects for 2016 and 2017.
To apply
Please email the following material to the General Manager Sonia Grebenshikoff at: [email protected]
- 1-page CV
- Headshot
- Link to edited footage of your performance work.
(Please choose carefully the footage you include, as this will be what the artistic director will be basing selection upon.)
Successful applicants notified by early November.
Australian Talented Youth Project 2015–2016: Call for Nominations
The Australian Talented Youth Project 2015–2016 is a creative opportunity for young emerging artists aged 16–25, with a particular emphasis on those from regional and remote Australia.
The selected young artists will be mentored by leading professionals in the various artistic fields. The year-long face-to-face and electronic mentoring program includes a week-long residential component to be held in Canberra in February 2016, and all accommodation, catering and transportation to and from the residential component are included.
This year, mentorship is available in the following artistic fields:
- Music (Voice)
- Music (Jazz) (keyboard, double bass, guitar, saxophone, vocals
- Dance
- Filmmaking
- Theatre/acting
- Writing for Theatre
- Digital Arts
Since there are only 16 places available, which are spread over the various creative and performing arts, the organisers are calling for arts organisations to nominate candidates of the highest calibre. For more information, and the nomination form, please visit the Australian Talented Youth Project website.
Nominations close 15 October 2015.