This petition is intended to highlight the need for independent professional dance classes in Adelaide. The signatures on this petition will be used to make a case for support to various public and private funding bodies, philanthropic institutions and existing arts organisation. Your signature on this document will be taken as confirmation that you support the provision of independent dance classes in Adelaide and that you agree to be named in letters of support in grant applications, pitches or requests for support, financial or otherwise.

Since the unfortunate closure of the Ausdance SA hub, there have been no regular accessible training opportunities for the Adelaide independent dance sector and a severe curbing of public engagement with dance in the city. The creative output of the independent dance sector has been severely curtailed and led to many independent practitioners moving either interstate or overseas.

A survey of independent dance artists practicing within the City of Adelaide, and findings from the most recent SA Dance Sector Plan found that the foremost determining factor that motivates an intention to move interstate or overseas is the lack of regular independent training available in Adelaide.

Regular dance class is the most essential aspect of an independent dancer’s training, especially amongst young creatives. Without the maintenance of dance technique and the expansion and diversification of creative process garnered from regular class, a dance artist cannot hope to support a sustainable practice.

The provision of regular training opportunity has therefore been identified as the single most effective way to halt the creative ‘brain drain’ of Adelaide independent dancers to the Eastern States or abroad, which this project addresses.

We call on the sector to work together in providing regular training opportunities in the city of Adelaide. Please sign this petition to signal your support for such a program.

Yours sincerely,

Lewis Major