Dance board

Australian dance is recognised for its athleticism, distinctive style and diversity. A host of outstanding dancers and choreographers has earned Australia a global reputation for taking the artform to new heights.

In 2007-2008 the Australia Council invested more than $18.8 million in Australian dance. This support comes primarily from the dance board, major performing arts board and market development section. It takes the form of grants and fellowships to individual artists, financial and operational support to arts organisations, market and audience development initiatives and strategic initiatives to build the capacity of the sector.  

The dance board fosters the development and growth of Australian dance. It supports excellence, encourages participation, increases distribution and builds artistic sustainability. The dance board's desire is to ensure the development of Australian dance –  growth rather than just survival. Its vision is to see dance thrive.

The dance board endeavours to:

• ensure work of the highest artistic calibre gets made
• increase distribution – nationally, internationally, and through new forms of distribution
• increase community engagement by increasing audiences and participation
• increase investment in creation of work
• enhance company and artist sustainability
• gain higher earnings for dance artists
• maximise resources.

The dance board shares the strategic directions of the Council. It also engages in international market development and promotion, education and creative communities via partnerships and strategic relationships with other sections of the organisation and government.

A sector action plan; Dance Plan 2012 has been developed partnership with Ausdance National.  A series of forums were staged around the country in early 2008 to seek feedback and input from the sector. This sector action plan supported by all of the State and Territory funding agencies. Dance Plan 2012 has four leading aims

By 2012 we will have:

• More excellent and innovative Australian dance
• More opportunities to see and participate in Australian dance
• Dance as an integral part of every young person’s education
• A range of sustainable careers for dance artists.

Diversity of practice and culture, particularly Indigenous cultural heritage, is an overarching objective across all of the dance board’s work.

For more information see the dance board’s cultural diversity policy.

International touring

The dance board supports Australian dance to find international audiences and touring opportunities through its Going Global fund

Key organisations

The dance board invested $7,949,715 into key organisations in 2008.  

Key organisations funded were:

•    Australian Dance Theatre, SA $1,095,000
•    Australian Dance Council Ausdance National,  ACT $750,000
•    Buzz Dance Theatre, WA $129,100
•    Chunky Move, Vic. $ 1,095,000
•    Dancehouse, Vic. $134,480
•    Dancenorth, Qld $655,098
•    Expressions Dance Company, Qld $129,100
•    Leigh Warren & Dancers, SA $215,168
•    Lucy Guerin Inc, Vic. $666,000
•    Restless Dance Company SA $408,000
•    Stompin Tas. $94,104
•    Tracks NT $778,665

Key organisations – emerging

All of the organisations offered a key organisations – emerging grant will be given one year funding agreements.  The second and third years of the term will be approved through a review process managed by the key organisations section and endorsed by the dance board.  This review will primarily track how the organisations are delivering against their business plans and any supplementary conditions set by the dance board.

•    Force Majeure NSW $615,000
•    Tony Yap Company (Multicultural Arts Victoria) Vic. $225,000
•    ReelDance Inc NSW $600,000
•    Tasdance Tas. $360,000

Arts organisations projects - interconnections

Arts organisations project grants - interconnections are for collaborations between major performing arts organisations and key organisations or major performing arts and small to medium arts companies.