I am writing to bring you up to date on the results of the initial research conducted as part of the Dance Touring Facilitator Coordinator Consultancy.
In September 2001, following the cessation of Made to Move and on the advice of the Playing Australia committee, the then Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation, the Hon Peter McGauran MP, approved an allocation of $65,000 (from Playing Australia grant funds), for a consultancy to survey issues relating to contemporary dance touring.
The aim of this consultancy was to refocus support for contemporary dance by providing an advisory service to encourage and advocate for dance touring to performing arts presenters and producers. This included:
- examining audience demand;
- exploring ways to encourage more applications from the sector;
- gathering information from contemporary dance producers and presenters, and encouraging greater communication between the two;
- providing assistance in the development of applications submitted to
Playing Australia; and - exploring alternative funding sources.
The consultancy was awarded to the Canberra Theatre Centre (Cultural Facilities Corporation of the Australian Capital Territory). Ausdance National and the Australian Choreographic Centre were partners (nominated sub-contractors). Formally titled the ‘Dance Touring Facilitator and Coordinator’, this consultancy was given the working title of ‘Greater Exposure’ by the consultancy partners, and commenced in June 2002.
The consultants produced an excellent first progress report, which was delivered to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in late 2002. This report contained the results of extensive consultation and discussion with those involved in the contemporary dance sector, including producers, presenters and representative bodies. As an adjunct to the report, the consultants also developed two information kits. The Information Kit for Presenters contains information and contact details for all contemporary dance companies who participated in the consultations, as well as contacts in the State and Territory touring agencies and in other dance-related organisations. The Information Kit for Producers includes a comprehensive list of touring and funding organisations, and provides ‘step-by-step’ advice on developing a tour.
The Greater Exposure consultants found in their initial survey of venues and presenters around the country, that there was a very low level of demand for contemporary dance productions. In particular, regional venues were less able to take the box-office risk.
The consultants considered that in view of this finding and given the key objective of Playing Australia to respond to audience demand, it might not be possible to achieve the objectives of the project. It appeared unlikely that continuation of the consultancy would change the outcomes already found or affect the broader issues confronting the sector.
The report was discussed by Playing Australia committee members at their grant round meeting in April 2003. In considering the advice contained in the consultants’ report the Committee noted that marketing of productions and audience development are significant impediments in arranging viable tours. While Playing Australia support may indirectly assist in building audiences, the program’s capacity to do this is limited. Viewing this in a broader context, the Committee decided to await the outcome of the review of the dance sector before looking at options for further specific support for contemporary dance. The Dance Board of the Australia Council is currently considering this review.
The Committee remains strongly committed to supporting the contemporary dance sector. While the decision not to proceed further with this consultancy will cause some disappointment, the ‘Greater Exposure Report’ brings together a great deal of information from producers and presenters, and as such will provide a useful reference point for considering ways in which Playing Australia can best assist contemporary dance...
Rhonda Thorpe, Manager
Regional Policy and Programs
No comments:
Post a Comment