Annual Report
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ANNUAL REPORT 2016Australian Dance Council – Ausdance Inc. The Australian Dance Council—Ausdance Inc. (Ausdance National) is Australia's peak body for dance: educating, inspiring and supporting the dance community in reaching its potential as a dynamic force within local, national and international communities. As part of a network of Ausdance organisations working across Australia, we design and deliver accessible and sustainable services and integrated programs to support Australian dance professionals. Published by Ausdance National PO Box 45, Braddon ACT 2612 ABN: 95 977 271 106 Telephone: (02) 6248 8992 Website: ausdance.org.au Annual reports: ausdance.org.au/about-us © Australian Dance Council—Ausdance Inc. Ausdance National 2016 ISSN 1328-6579. Report year ends 31 December 2016. Coordinated by Rachael Jennings, Communications and Publications Manager, Ausdance National p.2 Ausdance National Annual Report 2016 CONTENTS About Us 4 Our Mission 4 Our Vision 4 Overview 4 President's report 5 Goal 1 Industry development: support and sustain professional dance practice in Australia 7 1.1 Exchange information, ideas, expertise and resources in all areas of dance 7 1.2 Increase access to career development opportunities 8 1.5 Increase understanding and best practice in dance education 12 GOAL 2 Information Services: Be a recognised advocate in promoting dialogue and the value and purpose of dance 14 2.1 Increase the quality and relevance of Ausdance National’s information 14 2.2 Profile advocacy campaigns for dance 16 Goal 3 Ensure the sustainability and growth of Ausdance National 17 3.1 Build the Capacity of Ausdance National 17 3.2 Build the strength of the Ausdance network 18 Our members 19 Founding Life Members 19 Our partners, sponsors and supporters 20 National Council 22 Staff and volunteers 23 Audited financial statements 24 p.3 Ausdance National Annual Report 2016 ABOUT US OUR MISSION Ausdance National is the peak professional organisation for dance in Australia. Our mission is to educate, inspire and support the dance community in reaching its potential as a dynamic force within local, national and international communities. OUR VISION To provide accessible platforms for information and dialogue, to contribute to the growth and profile of the sector, and to be its leading advocate. We will work to be a sustainable organisation, prepared for future challenges. OVERVIEW Ausdance National has multiple roles in the dance community, and we continue to be a leading force for change in areas of industry development, dance education and political advocacy. Our program across 2016 was delivered within the framework of our organisation’s three goals: • Industry development: To support and sustain professional dance practice in Australia • Information services: Be a recognised advocate in promoting dialogue and the value and purpose of dance • Ensure the sustainability and growth of Ausdance National p.4 Ausdance National Annual Report 2016 PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2016 was a significant year of change for Ausdance National. Following a lengthy period of review, the Ausdance National Council approved major constitutional changes to our governance structure and membership in September 2016. These are vital changes that will ensure Ausdance National’s relevancy and continued contribution to the dance sector in Australia. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the previous national executive and CEO—President Brian Lucas, Vice Presidents Claudia Alessi and Marilyn Miller, Treasurer Peter Bayliss, CEO Roslyn Dundas and Acting CEO Neil Roach—for leading the review process and carefully navigating final approvals by the council, particularly while continuing to implement a busy program during a challenging period for the arts sector. Ausdance National’s annual program focused on sector development, advocacy and support. Key highlights included: • Responded to the Royal Commission’s public hearings into Centres for the Performing Arts. • Presented the 2016 Australian Dance Awards in Perth, hosted by Ausdance WA. • Awarded the second Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship to Patrick (Lucky) Larty. • Continued to lead the National Advocates for Arts Education through several initiatives, and negotiated the acquisition of its archives by the National Library of Australia. • Attended the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific conference and festival in Seoul as a Global Executive member. • Contributed to ArtsPeak planning meetings as a member of the interim executive. • Attendance and facilitation of networking opportunities for dance companies and independent artists at the Australian Performing Arts Market in Brisbane. • Made recommendations to address the issues driving VET FEE-HELP funding cuts and explained the impact on professional dance training. • Published the 40th edition of Brolga—an Australian Journal about dance. • Partnered with the University of Sydney to conduct Safe Dance IV—investigating injuries in Australia's professional dancers, a national survey of all professional dancers in Australia conducted by Amy Vassallo, PhD candidate. Ausdance National and the Ausdance state and territory organisations that make up the network continued to make a significant contribution to dance across Australia and internationally during 2016. I am also pleased to report an end of year surplus of $52,295 and our accumulated reserves increasing to $139,413. Our members are at the core of what we do and I thank them for engaging and supporting us. I am delighted at the changes that now mean all state and territory Ausdance members are automatically national members. A key focus in coming months will be how we can better engage with and build our membership across the country. An interim national executive—Paul Summers, Henry Laska and myself—joined National Treasurer Peter Bayliss in September 2016 to implement the structural reforms and consider future operations following the Australia Council’s decision to cease core operational funding at the end of 2016. A review of strategy, programs and resources was undertaken resulting in difficult decisions to reduce expenditure and core staff. A new vision and plan approved by the national council in December states that, by 2020, Ausdance National will be: • Reaffirmed as the leading national advocate for dance in Australia • The leader of a respected, integrated and sustainable Ausdance network supporting and promoting professional dance practice in Australia • Financially sustainable and empowered in a new funding environment. Following a nationwide nominations process, a new eight-person skills based council led by National President Gene Moyle, Vice Presidents Shaun Comerford, Elizabeth More AM and Treasurer Marinda Burger will be formally appointed in March 2017. The immediate focus will be on the future sustainability of the organisation without core operational funding. I congratulate the new council members and wish them well in their deliberations. p.5 Ausdance National Annual Report 2016 I acknowledge and thank our core funding partner, the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts for the many years of financial support and partnership with Ausdance National. AON Australia continues to partner with us to deliver sector specific insurance products to our members and the sector. I also thank presenting partner Harlequin Floors and sponsors Gaynor Minden, Media Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA), AON Australia and media partner Dance Informa for your support of the Australian Dance Awards. A special thank you to state and territory Ausdance Presidents and nominees who are members of the current national council—Elizabeth More AM (NSW), Lauren Honcope (ACT), Suzan Williams (Qld), Jo McDonald/Tanya Vogues (SA), Jasmine Moseley/Emma Cochran (Vic), Nicole Roocke/Simon Owen (WA)—who, together with the national executive members mentioned above, have all contributed to the strategic discussions about the future. Please take a moment to review the extensive list of artists, supporters and volunteers from across Australia who contributed to every program, project and service provided by Ausdance National. I thank them all for their involvement in advancing both Ausdance National and dance in Australia. Lastly, I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our hard working staff—Rachael Jennings, Publications & Communications Manager and Leanne Craig, who co-ordinates the Australian Dance Awards nominations process and assists with administration. Long term CEO and Honorary Life Member Julie Dyson AM stepped in during this period of change to join the interim executive and continue Ausdance National’s important work. I thank each of you for your wise counsel and hard work over the past seven months. While acknowledging that the future is not without its challenges for Ausdance National in the short-medium term, I am also excited at the calibre of the new council and this unique opportunity to build and secure the future of dance in Australia through the uniquely integrated services of Ausdance. Shane Colquhoun Interim National President p.6 Ausdance National Annual Report 2016 GOAL 1 INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN PROFESSIONAL DANCE PRACTICE IN AUSTRALIA This goal focuses on ways to help the industry grow and mature to match the talent of those it attracts. It invests in programs that increase access to career development, provides a forum to exchange ideas and expertise, and builds audiences and international networks for dance. 1.1 EXCHANGE INFORMATION,