Following its critically acclaimed performance season at Carriageworks last week, NAISDA Dance College has announced the first day of Summer to be the official launch of its Songlines Summer Appeal 2017.
The annual fundraising appeal aims to support NAISDA in fostering the growth of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Developing Artists in their pursuit to become Australia’s next generation of cultural and creative leaders.
“Our annual fundraising campaign kicks off this summer as we pause between academic years to reflect on our collective journey and achievements,” said Chief Executive Officer of NAISDA Dance College, Kim Walker.
“It also aligns itself with our Sydney performance season, which has now firmly established itself not only as a highlight of the NAISDA year, but as a significant and much anticipated event on the Sydney arts calendar.
“The Season embodied the creative culmination of our Developing Artists’ journeys and, for our Graduating Artists, signals the start of a new adventure as they continue the NAISDA legacy and embark upon careers that will see them perform to audiences across the nation and world,” he added.
Songlines Summer Appeal recognises that each success, achievement, performance and graduating student has only been possible through the philanthropy of others.
“Our Summer Songlines Appeal invites you to be part of that lineage of ‘paying it forward’. Your contribution will ensure that NAISDA can continue to make a lasting impact, not only to the lives of our Developing Artists, but in the delivery of living cultural and artistic practice for all Australians,” continued Mr Walker.
“That impact could be the continuation of our outstanding education completion rate, which is more than triple that of the national Vocational Education and Training average for Indigenous students, or the 26,000 Australian school students and teachers across the country who take part in our program of cultural performances and education each year.
“It could be keeping the continuum of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures alive, through dance and arts education for all, or helping us affirm Australia’s unique international image as we share performance and stories with audiences globally.
“Or, most importantly, it could be the difference you make to a NAISDA student by helping them appreciate the endless possibilities available to them as they pursue education, life skills and the right to be the best person they can be,” concluded Mr Walker.
Click here to donate to NAISDA’s Songlines Summer Appeal.
For more information and other ways to donate, please contact NAISDA Head of Fundraising Jan Wells at jan.wells@naisda.com.au or (02) 4340 3154.