Australia's National Cultural Policy

Australia's National Cultural Policy, Creative Australia, has the potential to have a significant impact on the dance sector in Australia, both for professional dancers and businesses, as well as for community dance organisations.

The policy aligns perfectly with the broad scope of the work of the Ausdance network across the country. We encourage investment, skills development, education and viable dance careers – as well as the importance of dance to nurture life skills such as expression, team-work, collaboration, personal discipline, problem-solving and physical/mental health.

One of the key elements of the policy is a focus on investing in the arts, both in terms of funding and infrastructure. This includes increased funding for arts and cultural organisations, as well as investment in new and existing cultural infrastructure, such as performance spaces and galleries. This investment in the arts is critical for the dance sector now, as it provides financial support for professional dance companies and independent artists to create and present their work.

Increased funding can also support community dance organisations, which often operate on tight budgets and rely on government support to deliver their programs. The National Cultural Policy includes implicit recognition that funding the arts includes funding grassroots arts projects and organisations is key to a healthy, diverse and capable pipeline of creativity. Community dance organisations play an important role in providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with dance, and increased funding can help ensure that these programs are accessible and sustainable.

The policy also recognises the importance of supporting artists and creative professionals, through initiatives such as funding for arts education and training programs, and increased support for emerging artists and cultural entrepreneurs. This support can be particularly important for dancers, who often have to navigate a challenging career path and may face financial barriers to pursuing their art.

For dance businesses, the policy's focus on investing in cultural infrastructure can have a direct impact on their success. New, diverse or upgraded performance spaces can provide greater opportunities for dance companies to showcase their work, and can help to attract audiences and generate revenue. The policy's focus on promoting Australian arts and culture domestically and internationally can also support the success of dance businesses by increasing the profile and reputation of Australian dance.  With our key marketable ‘point of difference’ being the richness of First Nations Cultural traditions and dance, we have much work to do to encourage increased investment in this area.

Another important aspect of the policy is a focus on engaging with diverse communities and promoting cultural diversity. This is led by support and prioritisation of First Nations Cultural heritage. The Ausdance network works to ensure First Nations values and Culture is prioritised and at the centre of all decision-making.

The National Cultural Policy proposes initiatives to promote multiculturalism and support for the arts and cultural traditions of all Australians. For the dance sector, this focus on diversity is particularly important, as dance is an art form that can be used to express cultural identity and celebrate cultural diversity. Typically, western/European traditional dance is not diverse – participants are one size, one colour, one shape…even one hairstyle! This must change.

Community dance organisations can play an important role in promoting diversity in dance by providing opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with dance and by promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Professional dance companies can also contribute to promoting diversity in dance by presenting works that reflect a range of cultural perspectives and experiences.

In addition to investing in the arts and promoting cultural diversity, the policy also aims to increase public awareness of the value of the arts to society. This includes initiatives such as promoting arts and cultural events, supporting arts education and engagement, and increasing the visibility of Australian arts and culture both domestically and internationally.

Increased public awareness of the value of dance can support the success of both professional dance companies and community dance organisations. Greater public engagement with dance can help to generate interest and support for dance, as well as contributing to the overall cultural vitality of communities. Increased public awareness of the value of dance can also help to support the financial sustainability of dance businesses by generating ticket sales and revenue.

Australia's National Cultural Policy has the potential to have a significant impact on the dance sector in Australia – it is up to us to use it, to live it, to build it into everything we do across multiple sectors and ‘government portfolios’. By investing in the arts and cultural infrastructure, supporting artists and creative professionals, promoting cultural diversity, and increasing public awareness of the value of the arts, the policy can support the success and sustainability of professional dance companies, dance businesses, and community dance organisations. This investment gives the arts (and dance!) an opportunity to truly lead the social and economic development of this continent and these islands.