Annual Australian Dance Awards Cancelled
Reduced Funds Ends 21 Year Event
Ausdance National regrettably announces the cancellation of the 2019 Australian Dance Awards.
Shrinking government funding for Ausdance National has resulted in reduced staffing and financial reserves that has led to this decision.
Ausdance National has produced the Australian Dance Awards for twenty-one years. The awards recognise, celebrate and honour dance artists and industry professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the Dance Sector.
The Awards began as a Dancers Picnic to celebrate International Dance Day, and have since grown into a significant event that has been hosted around the country at major performing arts venues.
With a review of the organisation’s priorities, Ausdance National has decided to suspend the Australian Dance Awards in their current form. This will allow for a much-needed review of the current processes and systems and determine the on-going viability of the Awards program.
The decision to cancel the Awards is part of a larger review of Ausdance.
“Ausdance National will lead a process of collaboration with key stakeholders to develop the best model for a sustainable Ausdance Network across Australia,” said Gene Moyle, Ausdance National President.
“While we understand the Dance Sector will be disappointed with the cancellation of the 2019 Australian Dance Awards, we are excited to continue our partnership with Tracks Dance Company to present the National Dance Forum in Darwin, 9 – 10 August 2019. We hope the Sector will come out in force for these important discussions.”
The National Dance Forum is a biennial gathering of the Dance Sector to inspire rigorous debate and reflection about dance in Australia.
In the meantime, Ausdance National asks that supporters consider donating to their Building Momentum fundraising campaign. Donations big or small will help us continue their advocacy work which enables the dance sector to be a dynamic and vibrant force in the arts landscape.
At the close of 2018 Ausdance National received news of a significant setback in their operations and was not successful in receiving project funding support from the Australia Council for the Arts to continue to facilitate achieving our 2019 program goals and the presentation of the Australian Dance Awards. Vital tax-deductible donations will help to maintain their core operations. Your financial support will directly support Ausdance National to build on the significant momentum of the past two years since the current skills-based board was appointed. With your support, they hope to continue and increase their dedicated staff time so that their members can continue to receive the benefit of their services.
