When Ausdance National announced its closure in August last year, many, including the members of its own network of state branches, vowed to keep it going – and they have.
In December the National Council of Ausdance National announced it would continue after all, but in a slightly different structure. A new interim board has been elected, chaired by Paul Summers (pictured), with a permanent executive and board to be elected at the next AGM planned for April.
Broadly speaking, Ausdance National will continue its advocacy and networking roles, with an increased commitment to collaborating with its members. It will continue to administer the Keith Bain and Peggy van Praagh bequests.
Core projects such as the National Dance Forum and the Australian Dance Awards (ADAs), which were in danger of disappearing, are now expected to go ahead, but will be “supported but outsourced”. The ADAs are expected to be held in Victoria around August/September.
Financially, Ausdance National will rely on existing revenue streams from membership fees and commissions, and will be seeking donations and project-based government funding. For now, however, there will be no paid staff – all activities will be run on a voluntary basis.
Read more at https://ausdance.org.au/news/article/Ausdance-members-vote-to-maintain-Ausdance-National
- KAREN VAN ULZEN
Top photo: Ahmad Odeh