Help us give back to the dance sector

This EOFY, consider a donation to Ausdance WA – as the peak body for all forms of dance in WA, your support means we can increase our capacity to give more back to the dance sector.

Since starting back up in December 2023 after a four year pause, Ausdance WA has already been able to achieve some key outcomes including:

//IN MOTION// – WA Dance Sector Consultation

Ausdance WA engaged consultant Rick Heath from PUSH Management to deliver a rigorous dance sector consultation during March to identify new, significant needs for the sector that have emerged from the impacts of the COVID pandemic and Ausdance WA’s absence from the sector. With input from 79 online surveys and 51 workshop attendees, we focused the consultation on five key focus groups. The resulting report will be released in mid-June and distributed broadly, providing policy makers with important information and a road map recommending strategies to better support and profile the dance sector.

National Dance Teacher Accreditation 

Ausdance WA have resumed the task of developing a national dance teacher accreditation register. The establishment of a register is sought to lift the standards of dance teaching across the profession and to set clear national benchmarks which promote consistency, whilst maintaining flexibility to meet individual needs. A Terms of Reference was finalised in April and a timeline, research funding and industry consultation are now underway. 

Establishment of Dance Teacher Traineeships

A proposal has now been submitted to the State Training Board for the establishment of two traineeships for dance teachers in WA – a Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching and a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management. The process involved extensive sector consultation, and was guided expertly by Ann-Marie Ryan at FutureNow. We expect an outcome by August 2024.

Dance Teacher Pay Rates and Conditions 

Ausdance WA have had ongoing communication with Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance to discuss the Dancers Australia union and progress the inclusion of pay rates and working conditions for dance teachers, which is currently not part of the Code of Practice. Ausdance WA will support MEAA’s upcoming survey to reach as many dance teachers as possible to contribute to this important work.

Submissions and Voice

Ausdance WA have sent submissions to Creative Australia’s report compiled by Sue Giles and Simon Abrahams for Child, Young People and the Arts, and submitted feedback to the Child Safety Annual Reporting Process. Ausdance WA regularly joins the national conversation to advocate on behalf of the dance sector for improved, consistent collaboration with other stakeholders such as Music Licensing and Insurance.

Our Membership

Ausdance WA membership has grown by over 100 members since December 2023 – now boasting over 120 active members ranging from artists, teachers in schools, studio teachers/owners, independents and organisations/companies.

Services and Network 

Within our limited capacity, we talk to people each week, providing advice to members, connecting members to the industry, advocating to governments and ensuring we remain connected on the sector’s behalf. Separate to the consultation, we have met with:

several independent artists, the Ausdance National board and state directors, Chamber of Arts and Culture CEO Tania Hudson, Theatre Network Australia Co-CEO Joshua Lowe and were present at their Youth and Performing Arts Sector Gatherings, stakeholders for Youth Dance in WA, stakeholders for dance teacher qualifications in WA, the Child Safeguarding Implementation Unit, the West Australian Classical Ballet Teachers Association, FutureNow, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance and consulted with Service and Creative Skills Australia.

We are grateful to have received project funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, for both the //IN MOTION// Consultation Project, and for our Annual Program 24/25.

Your support is crucial in enabling us to continue this important work. Please consider making a donation to Ausdance WA this end of financial year to help support the delivery of services and help us to build dance sector capacity. 

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Kind regards,

Amy Wiseman
Executive Director
Ausdance WA