The annual Australian Dance Awards recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to dance. The Awards are presented in an evening of performance that showcases some of the best Australian dance acts of the year.

The event aims to

• publicly honour and reward those who have, through their achievements, raised the standards of dance in Australia
• raise the profile and prestige of dance and acknowledge the depth and diversity of the dance profession in our society
• present a diverse performance program in support of the awards ceremony, representing excellence in the pinnacle of both innovative and established dance

Dance Awards background

Initiated in 1986 by Keith Bain OAM, the dance community in NSW gathered each year at the Dancers’ Picnic to celebrate the International Dance Days Honours. In 1997, Ausdance NSW with support from the City of Sydney and The Australian Ballet, established the Australian Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House. Over time, the Awards have evolved into the industry’s ‘night of nights.’

2008 marked the beginning of a new era, with the Awards celebration held in Melbourne and produced by Ausdance Victoria for three consecutive years, thanks to the generosity of the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust and The Australian Ballet. Now, with a truly national focus, the Australian Dance Awards is promoting the art form, raising the profile of Australian artists and providing a focal point for the celebration of excellence.

The Awards are now open to tender by the Ausdance state branches and will be produced and hosted by Ausdance Queensland in 2011.