On International Dance Day, 29 April 2018, NAISDA was thrilled to lead the Australian arm of Big Dance 2018, produced by Ausdance Victoria and Ausdance New South Wales.
Big Dance is the world’s largest free celebration of dance. This year, the event saw over 5,000 people across the country gather to perform an inclusive piece choreographed by NAISDA’s Head of Creative Studies Frances Rings and Training Delivery Coordinator Craig Bary, led by NAISDA Developing Artists.
NAISDA’s impact and representation at the Sydney Big Dance event also included guest singer Christine Anu and MC Gavin Ivey, both graduates of NAISDA – a testimony to the broad scope of talent that NAISDA has nurtured over the decades and a wonderful inspiration to current Developing Artists.
Images by: Elise Lockwood Photography. Big Dance 2018 is produced and presented by Ausdance NSW and Ausdance Vic, with support from project partner, NAISDA.
Big Dance engages thousands of Australians each year en masse across local, regional and metropolitan communities. NAISDA’s central and defining presence at the event exemplifies the increasing demand for Indigenous artists, performance, practice and engagement.
The figures speak for themselves. 47 percent of Australians are actively interested in First Nation arts, with 35 percent (8.4 million) attending First Nation arts. This is a record level of attendance and double that of 20091. 80 percent of Australians agree that Indigenous arts are an important part of Australia’s culture2.
However, First Nation performing arts remain underrepresented in mainstream venues and festivals, where they comprise just 2% of works commissioned3.
NAISDA graduates are undoubtedly the current and future icons of our Indigenous arts industry; the pioneers who are shaping and sharing our living cultures with ever-growing audiences nationally and globally through dance.
We would like to thank Ausdance Victoria, Ausdance New South Wales, Frances, Craig and our Developing Artists, as well as everyone who played a role in making this year’s Big Dance such a resounding and far-reaching success.
Sources:
- Connecting Australians: The National Arts Participation Survey, 2017, Australia Council for the Arts.
- Arts Nation: An Overview of Australian Arts, 2015, Australia Council for the Arts.
- Showcasing Creativity: Programming and Presenting First Nations Performing Arts, 2016, Australia Council for the Arts.