Welcome to 2023!
The curtain is rising on 2023. It is tentative and a little bit slow at the start. But we have much to do!
We are acutely aware of our ‘COVID lessons’.
We are one community.
We focus on what makes us the same, rather than what makes us different.
First Nations Peoples must come first so whatever we do works for everyone.
In considering the first glimpses of the National Cultural Policy announced during Woodford Folk Festival by Minister Tony Burke, there are a couple of key points which excite us.
Australia Council for the Arts will not only focus on the ‘funded’ arts sector. If this happens, it will be hugely beneficial for the entire arts ecosystem. It creates the possibility of connection and reduces elitism. It expands the government’s perspectives of what is actually going on.
There will be a focus on artists as workers. Well blow me down with a feather! Who knew decades of training and experience could result in a viable career?! If this happens, it will increase the value of these professions into which practitioners, technicians and managers pour decades of education, experience and success. People will be paid more fairly and administrative competence will increase as a matter of necessity.
Finally – there’s nothing like a bit of accountability. In 2023 Ausdance QLD aims raise funds to enable us to deliver the work we know needs to be done quickly – we’re aiming for three years rather than 10!
We will work with our national colleagues to develop an ‘Ausdance ‘tick of approval’’ system with safety (safer children, safer spaces, safer workplaces, safer bodies and minds) at its heart. We will launch ‘Safedance for Kids’. Ausdance QLD will improve transparency and accessibility of music licensing with OneMusic. We aim to have an additional staff member to better support our members and we’d LOVE for 500 members to join up or transition to paid membership.
Here's to the year ahead!
About the author
Julie Englefield
Executive Director, Ausdance QLD
Julie has worked across the disciplines of music, theatre, visual and performing arts in general management, fundraising, sales and marketing for over 25 years.
Her experience in both the commercial (Steinway & Sons) and non-profit (arts and health sectors) provide her with unique insight into what is required for successful and sustainable partnerships. Julie has a solid background in non-profit governance, having also been part of the Singapore Government’s workgroup to develop a national Code of Governance for non-profits. In particular, Julie’s belief in and understanding of the Arts has enabled her to walk the fine line of building commercially robust organisations whilst retaining absolute integrity of artistic purpose.