Ausdance Submission - National Cultural Policy
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Australia’s next National Cultural Policy is taking shape — and Ausdance National has made a powerful, evidence‑driven submission now available to read.
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Dance is one of the country’s most widely practised artforms yet remains structurally underfunded. The submission highlights urgent issues: access to space, investment in creation, cross‑portfolio impact in health and education, and the economic value of dance as social infrastructure. With 961,000 regular participants and clear evidence of health and wellbeing benefits, the case for reform is strong.
2025 Ausdance ACT Annual Report
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Many thanks to those who joined us for our recent Annual General Meeting. We thank our continuing board members for their ongoing voluntary commitment - Natalie Pearse (President), Cheryl Diggins (Vice President), Preeti Somasundaram (Treasurer), Jacqueline Dimmock (Secretary), Shekiralea Healy, Bexsa-Ashley Munro Cairncross and Divyusha Polepalli. We are also very pleased to welcome new board member Kagiso Ratlhagane.
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2025 was a dynamic and rewarding year for Ausdance ACT, marked by creativity, growth and strong community engagement. We delivered a diverse range of high‑quality programs that strengthened public connection to dance and elevated its presence across the ACT. We remain proud to champion and contribute to Canberra’s vibrant and evolving dance culture.
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Find out more about our activities in 2025 in our Annual Report.
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2026 Youth Dance Festival – Work Experience Opportunity
Looking for a hands‑on, behind‑the‑scenes adventure in live theatre? Our Youth Dance Festival Work Experience (WEX) Program is back — and we’re inviting motivated, reliable Year 10–12 students (aged 16+) to join the backstage crew this October at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre.
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Students get a unique, first‑hand experience working on a major theatrical event, learning how a large‑scale show comes together and observing key theatre departments like lighting, sound, crewing, stage management, and marketing. Many past WEX participants have gone on to build successful careers in the performing arts, with this program often becoming their first step into the industry.
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If you would like to apply — or if you know a student who’d love to be involved — please use the link below. Limited positions are available, so get in early.
Philip Piggin - Ausdance Honorary Life Membership
At this year’s Annual General Meeting, Ausdance ACT was proud to recognise Philip Piggin with Honorary Life Membership, acknowledging his extraordinary and long‑standing contribution to Ausdance and to the Australian dance sector.
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Philip Piggin has shaped Australian dance for more than four decades, contributing profoundly to community practice, sector development and Ausdance’s national advocacy. Trained in Australia, the UK and New York, he worked internationally before returning home to build a diverse career across performance, education, community dance and leadership.
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Please join us in congratulating Philip and welcoming him as our newest Honorary Life Member!
Dance Artists in Schools Program - book your visit!
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We specialise in sourcing diverse dance experiences for your students to extend their practice and cultural knowledge.
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Let us do the work for you! Here is what is included:
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~ Teachers share their vast knowledge in dance, from technique to choreography and cultural awareness in the workshop or class format of your choice.
~ A wide range of genres is available including Cultural Dance (Afro/Indian Classical/Bollywood), Street Dance, Creative Dance, and more. If you have something specific in mind, just ask us!
~ We coordinate all booking, invoicing and travel requirements.
~ Provision of professional, qualified and experienced teaching practitioners.
~ WWVP checks.
~ Risk assessments.
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