Subject: We Want to Hear From You Date: Friday, 20 March 2020 From: AusDance NSW Dear, On Monday Ausdance NSW released a statement regarding the challenges that are facing the dance sector and the arts community at large. In case you missed it, please see below. In this e- news, we want to hear from you. What can we do to support our network? And we would like to highlight how in tough times our community pulls together, and below you will find the first of many online classes being made available worldwide! If you have a class, an event or a webinar to share, let us know. Ausdance NSW Statement, Monday 16 March 2020. Dear Ausdance members, independent dance artists, dance organisation and companies, supporters and friends, Ausdance NSW is committed to the safety of our staff, artists, members and associated organisations. We have been and will continue to monitor the issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and how to minimise the spread of the virus. As a result, Executive Director Michelle Silby, General Manager Susan Doel and the team, Lauren, Kate, and Remi, will be working remotely until April 17. This means our office in The Rocks is not staffed as of today. Especially during these uncertain times, the Ausdance NSW team will maintain our high-quality care and engagement with the diverse community of dancers, teachers, and students in the State. We are very aware of the dramatic financial, mental and artistic impacts this crisis is having in our sector especially for independent artists and organisations. Please email and call us. We will happily arrange phone and online meetings. What we are doing: 1. All Ausdance NSW events will be cancelled until further notice. Including Open Classes in Page 1 of 11 partnership with ReadyMade Works and Professional Arts Learning Series – Primary Creative Arts. All ticket holders will be contacted shortly. 2. We are sharing information through social media of closures as well as artists and works that are still operating 3. We will continue to promote the value and needs of dance in the NSW arts sector and are speaking to all levels of Government to take action on the #Livesupport campaign from Live Performance Australia 4. We will maintain resources specific to dance and the COVID-19 pandemic on our website 5. We will continue to meet and speak to everyone who contacts us for support, advice and sharing information. We will gather this information as data to further our advocacy work during this crucial time 6. We are taking the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our staff and sector very seriously Stay safe, keep dancing and look after each other. From the Ausdance NSW team Feature Article I LOST MY GIG! HAVE YOU LOST WORK? EVENT CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA & NZ ARE HAVING UNPRECEDENTED IMPACTS ON THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Bushfires and Coronavirus have led to the cancellation and postponement of hundreds of concerts, conferences, events and festivals across Australia and the rest of the world - with many more events still vulnerable. Many performers, businesses and contractors have lost vital income. The Australian Music Industry Network and the Australian Festival Association have joined with industry partners to tally the impact of these impacts on Australians - and hear your stories. We're working hard to find ways to support people and businesses who have been affected, so leave your details so we can connect with you in the future about funding opportunities and other support. The tally so far: Page 2 of 11 LATEST TALLY $200M Total lost income from cancelled events: $200M People impacted by event cancellations: 400k Number of gigs/events: 220k If you have yet to fill out the survey, now is your chance to have your voice. HEAD TO THE SURVEY HERE #ilostmygigau For more information head to Live Performance Australia here>>> INFORMATION ON COVID-19 Ausdnace NSW has spent the week finding the most up to date information for the dance sector. We are still in the early stages, so please do get in touch if you find information that would be relevant to the sector and want to be shared on our website. COVID-19 - click here to read our full statement, and statements from other peak organisations such as Accessible Arts and Theatre Network Australia. Click here>>> About COVID-19 - This is where we have listed all relevant health information and fact sheets from the Australian Government, the World Health Organisation, the Coronavirus Health Hotline, John Hopkins and mental health hotlines if you find yourself struggling or needing a chat. Click here>>> Impact - We will be updating this section as news comes in on what has been canceled or postponed in the dance sector. Please get in touch if you have had an event or job cancelled. This is one way in which we can track the loss to the dance sector in NSW. Click here>>> What to Do - Here we have listed how you can lobby for the arts by contacting your local member of parliament. There are also links to industry surveys, which we will update when we hear of new ones coming through. Click here>>> What we are Reading - How it sounds, articles and interviews that benefit our sector. Again, do get in touch if you want us to share an article with the Ausdance community. Click here>>> What's on! - Virtual Edition - When self-isolation is becoming the norm, and work offices are now in our living rooms, a virtual 'What's On' is needed. Let's support each other while keeping moving and having some fine. Connection is what will keep us going. So here is where we will share all your virtual events. Send them to me at [email protected] and we will add them to the list. Stay tuned, as Ausdance will be launching a new online program asap! Page 3 of 11 QUESTIONS? HIT US UP... Susan Doel: [email protected] Lauren Vassallo: [email protected] Kate Maquire Rosier: [email protected] Remi Harvey: [email protected] WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU As we enter a time of unknown and unrest in the arts sector, and this photo is becoming the new norm, as we start to work from home or self- isolate. In times like this mental health and wellness is one of our concerns for our community. So we want to hear from you, what are you doing to stay connected? Do you run an online yoga class? or dance class? Virtual book club? or virtual lunch and coffee with dancers to discuss development strategies while at home?⁠ And how can we help? Now is the time to stick together and to look after each other.⁠ ⁠Get in touch...email [email protected] for general enquires and for [email protected] for sharing your virtual event or class to our members and on our website. WHATS ON! VIRTUAL EDITION SOCIAL DIS-DANCING As we enter a time of unknown and unrest in the arts sector, and this photo is becoming the new norm, as we start to work from home or self-isolate. In times like this mental health and wellness is one of our concerns for our community. So we want to hear from you, what are you doing to stay connected? Do you run an online yoga class? or dance class? Virtual book club? or virtual lunch and coffee with dancers to discuss development strategies while at home?⁠ Page 4 of 11 DANCING ALONE TOGETHER In this unprecedented time of isolation, Dancing Alone Together aims to be a central resource for the digital dance world that is beginning to bloom. MOVE — Dance-Based Online Classes CREATE — Dance-Making Prompts & Communities WATCH — Streamed Dance Performances Never before have Australian's had access on a weekly basis to worldwide teachers and artists. All classes can be accessed on Facebook live and Instagram live and include ballet, contemporary, theatre, African, and jazz just to name a few! Follow the link here to get involved>>> ONE DANCE COLLECTIVE Directed by Sydney based dance artists Lucy Doherty & Robert McLean, One Dance Collective aims to provide inspiration and information to support the evolution of a new generation of dance artists within Australia and overseas. Weekly Dance Class & Support Circle ALL LEVELS: EVERY FRIDAY A weekly online dance class consisting of guided movement meditation, feel-good grooves, journalling, connecting and sharing as a community. Led by One Directors Lucy Doherty & Robert McLean. Facilitated on Zoom (Free online streaming service) Open to all levels of danceability & experience. Moving Meditation ALL LEVELS: COMING SOON A guided movement meditation practice with Lucy Doherty connecting to the body, emotions, mindfulness & the present moment. Downloadable so you can save & come back to it again & again. Register your interest to be notified when this class becomes available! Page 5 of 11 interested? head to Ine Dance Collective website here to register your spot click here>>> AILEY EXTENSION - THE OFFICIAL DANCE STUDIO OF ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE FOUNDATION. ALL LEVELS OF DANCERS WELCOME! Ailey Extension was created to continue Alvin Ailey's legacy that dance comes from the people and should be given back to the people. While these are difficult times for the dance community which relies on people gathering in spaces to share movement and create together, it feels important more now than ever to make dance accessible to everyone. They are inspired by the unity of dancers across the globe sharing at-home classes and dance videos online. To continue their mission, they are sharing all Extension instructors' and guest instructors' online class resources to keep our community dancing!! Amazing.