Advocacy, Consultations and Critical Conversations

Ausdance NSW’s core business is to consult with dance communities across the state. These consultations gather qualitative and quantitative data, build relationships driving an artist-led approach to our public program and policy recommendations.

Key areas of focus in 2020 and 2021 are:

• CALD dancers Working Party + Open Space – working with dancers of colour, co-designing a consultation process including a working party and monthly BIPOC Open Space. Planning for a future public forum in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia
• Disability + Dance  in partnership with Accessible Arts NSW – building on the legacy of Catalyst, these consultations bring together dancers with a Disability and inclusive dance practitioners to reflect on the growth of the dance and disability sector, advise on current practices and inform project development
• Regional Dance Roundtable – developing local networks of dance activity in the Northern Rivers and Southern NSW

As a result of COVID we have developed these focus groups:

• Independent and Commercial Freelance Dancers Reference Group
• Dance Studio Leadership Network

On-going consultations through Facilitated meetings/networks that are core to our advocacy and research include:

• Small to Medium dance organisations
• The Tertiary Dance Network
• Creative Ageing Forum Co-design Project Team
• Pivot: Dance and Young People working party with Youth Dance Australia 

Ausdance NSW regularly meets with state and federal agencies, funding bodies and key stakeholders. The director of Ausdance NSW also sits on boards and committees in order to further advocate for the dance sector, as part our Dancing Nation.

From our critical conversations and research (particularly during the COVID 19 period), Ausdance NSW submits letters and submissions to the government and fundies bodies.