Ausdance WA Moving Forward
Elevating the dance sector through advocacy, education and support
About Ausdance WA
Ausdance WA is the peak service body for advocacy, promotion, participation and education for dance in Western Australia.
Established in 1977, Ausdance WA is a not for profit membership organisation, providing support services to dance artists, teachers in schools, studios and community cultural and recreational contexts, and dance companies and organisations across the state. We exist to ensure West Australians have access to the best experiences of dance – as participants, audiences, creators and performers. We do this through the delivery of a suite of programs offering access and participation, education and training, employment, and promotion of artists and companies, along with audience development and, therefore, contribute significantly to the capacity building and sustainability of the sector.
We support engagement with dance across all ages, all genres, all abilities, and across the state. As part of a national network, Ausdance WA contributes to the national voice representing the dance sector.
The organisation operated on reserves and primarily volunteer efforts from 2020 to 2023 after losing core government funding in 2018. However, despite these challenges, Ausdance WA maintained strong partnerships with the national Ausdance network, allowing important advocacy projects to continue, and in 2024 the organisation was proud to recommence operations.
Ausdance WA has now entered a new chapter, moving forward with a renewed spirit and a fresh focus on sector development. Now back in business, Ausdance WA have welcomed new members, presented numerous highly successful Professional Development opportunities, and continued to be strong advocates for the industry, with particular focus on Child Safety in Dance, teacher training, and identifying career pathways for dancers.
This period marks the beginning of a revitalised approach, designed to ensure that Ausdance WA continues to be a strong voice for dance in Western Australia and plays an active role in shaping the future of the arts both in our own state and contributing to the national conversation.
Our Mission
Advocacy, support, industry development and building capacity for dance in Western Australia.
Our
Values
- Inclusivity
- Diversity
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Sustainability
Our
Purpose
Ausdance WA exists to:
- Provide leadership for dance in Western Australia as an informed and active advocate and service provider, supporting industry development and capacity building for the sector;
- Educate, train and support the dance community;
- Facilitate participation and develop audiences for dance.
Our Goals
Strengthen networks, partnerships and access to resources
- Grow the membership, strengthen the networks, and deepen engagement with the organisation
- Establish new strategic partnerships to support program initiatives
- Broaden networks with industry, community, government and philanthropic trusts
- Maintain strong state and national dance related networks
Provide leadership and support for dance education
- Offer a program of professional development and training for teachers of dance in all contexts – schools, studios and cultural and recreational settings
- Support the participation of regionally based dance teachers in the professional development and training program
- Commission resources to support teachers delivering the Dance Curriculum in schools
- Provide resources and training for teachers of dance to meet government regulations and compliances to provide safe spaces for dance
Be a significant dance advocate with access to expert dance knowledge
- Maintain strong relationships with our stakeholders to be fully informed of sector issues
- Be the voice for the sector by responding to relevant government and industry policy development
- Respond to and represent the sector on sector-specific matters
- Support the creation of employment opportunities for dance artists, teachers and choreographers
- Identify and facilitate programs to support growth of the sector
Effective and efficient management of the organisation for sustainability
- Strong financial management systems
- Secure short and medium term and diverse income partnerships
- Ensure safe working environments for all employees
- Committed Management Committee and personnel with the relevant skills and knowledge to represent and serve the sector
The Ausdance National Network
Ausdance WA is proud to be part of the national Ausdance network, a collective of organisations dedicated to supporting and advancing the art of dance across Australia. Together with other state branches – Ausdance QLD, Ausdance VIC, Ausdance ACT and Ausdance SA – we collaborate to champion the needs of the Australian dance community.
At the heart of this network is Ausdance National – a voluntary board made up of state and territory representatives that identifies and develops programs and resources to sustain professional dance practice. As an integral part of this collaborative effort, Ausdance WA works alongside Ausdance National to support and advocate for the dance sector.
What does Ausdance National do?
Ausdance National represents a diverse and internationally admired group of dance professionals, including performers, creators, educators, writers, researchers, and more. Their mission is to:
- Highlight the value of dance: Communicating the essential role dance plays in enriching the lives of all Australians.
- Support sustainable careers: Partnering with industry leaders to deliver skills development programs and create career pathways.
- Set best practice standards: Sharing guidelines for safe dance, effective teaching methodologies, and sound business practices.
- Foster global connections: Building international networks to create career opportunities for Australian dance artists.
- Encourage meaningful discussion: Publishing research, writing, and success stories that celebrate and explore the purpose and value of dance.
As a state branch, Ausdance WA is committed to aligning with these goals to ensure the Western Australian dance sector thrives and contributes to the broader national and international dance ecosystem. Together, we are making dance happen.
Our
Board
Chair:
Gary Hodge
Treasurer:
Tatyana Kozyreva
Committee Members:
Leanne Bishop
Deanna Faust
Dr Maria Gamble
Amanda Leigh
Nina Levy
Life
Members
Dr Joan Pope OAM
Jody Burton
Lynn Fisher
Ruth Osborne OAM
Margita Chudziak
Nanette Hassall AM
Terri Charlesworth OAM
Alan Alder (1937-2019)
Kira Bousloff OAM (1914-2001)
Penny Why (1933-2010)
Ausdance WA
Annual Reports
Find links to available reports here.
