Creating, Supporting, Promoting Opportunity
Ausdance VIC offers high-level strategic advice and vision for the dance sector. We advocate on behalf of the dance industry to raise the profile of dance and increase investment in the arts.
Professional Development Series
Stay up to date with the latest guidelines and regulatory changes.
Get Active Kids Voucher Program
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Become a Member
Joining Ausdance VIC enables every individual to make a difference to the dance sector. Plus, you get great perks like access to Member Only content and discounts at participating partners. Click to learn more...
Covid-19
With the ever changing and evolving situation on ground due to COVID-19, it can be difficult to keep abreast of all news and guidelines. Click here for the latest updates...

Latest News

14 January 2022

In the Pandemic Orders Dancefloors and Dance Studios are different. Often the closing of dancefloors in hospitality and entertainment venues (eg pubs, clubs and wedding venues) attracts significant media attention and can ...

End of Year Closure

16 December 2021

The Ausdance VIC office will be closed from 5pm Friday 17 December, and will reopen on Monday 10 January. All staff will be on leave during this time. We wish ...

We need to hear from you! Ausdance VIC’s Annual Dance Sector Survey

25 November 2021

Add your voice so we can advocate for you. This annual survey collects critical data about the broad range of Dance and Dance activities in Victoria, building an accurate and ...

Roadmap Phase D: Restrictions Lifted

19 November 2021

Congratulations Victoria! We have reached the 90% double vaccinated milestone and most restrictions have lifted. All dance activities, including classes, rehearsals, performances and competitions can resume with no limits on ...

Ausdance Victoria: Supporting the Victorian Dance Sector

On 17th March 2020, as the Covid-19 crisis became very real, Ausdance Victoria, like many other organisations, closed its office doors and made the transition to working from home.

In these turbulent times, as the peak body for dance in Victoria, we have been working with and for the dance sector in our state. In an ever-changing landscape, faced with unprecedented challenges, we have kept our focus on meeting the critical needs of our entire sector.

You can find the latest official updates as we receive them by visiting our Covid-19 page.

covid-19

Members Only Preview

Free Ticket Offer

9 December 2021

Member Benefits, Members Only

The Australian Ballet returns to the Melbourne stage tonight after almost two years away. To celebrate, they are offering Ausdance VIC members complimentary tickets to their Celebration Gala, on stage ...

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Inside Dance Resources

13 August 2021

Jobs & Opportunities, Members Only, News

Access video recordings of seminars on-demand, download resources and tools to help you make the most of this professional development series. Child Safety How to build and maintain a child ...

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Photography Partner

23 March 2021

Member Benefits, Members Only

Belinda Strodder Award winning photographer Belinda Strodder has over 25 years experience in the performing arts and her work is renown for its unique quality. Her contribution to the ...

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Sangam Festival 2021

5 February 2021

Current Events, Events, Members Only

Over 100 artists have been announced for the return of the Sangam Festival 2021. Held over four weekends in Melbourne, the program reveals spoken word, music, dance, theatre and more. ...

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Become a Member

Joining Ausdance VIC enables every individual to make a difference to the dance sector. A strong membership base makes our voice stronger, provides a platform for your voice to be heard and nurtures an environment for dance to thrive.

Membership fees go towards supporting our work, delivering programmes to develop the dance sector and help us continue to advocate for dance at every opportunity.

When you become a member, you also get access to potential partners, discounts, training and networking events and special offers, not to mention our exclusive MEMBERS ONLY content.

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Michelle Silby

Executive Director

Michelle Silby has an extensive career in dance in both creative and administrative functions. She is the Executive Director of both Ausdance NSW and Ausdance Vic. This dual role leads the teams, through strategy, operational efficiencies and large-scale outcomes; the Director of Big Dance Australia (2014-), and the was the Co-convener of the Arts Industry Council Victoria (2017-2019). Currently Michelle sits on the following Industry and government committee’s; ACFIBS for NSW, Industry Advisory Group, Victorian Skills Commission (VIC), Independent Reference Committee, Arts & Culture related Industries, Vice Chair (National training and professional development) Previously Chair, Regional Arts NSW funding 2014-17, Several Arts NSW funding panels, Churchill Fellowship 2013-16.

Over the last 25 years, Michelle has worked across a variety of contexts as a dance performer, teacher, choreographer, educator and management roles: as a director, festival director, company manager and education consultant in the UK, Europe, and the last 14 years, in Australia. After successfully leading Ausdance NSW since Oct 2012, she was appointed Executive Director, Ausdance VIC in Nov 2015. She is inspired by the opportunities that leading both states will bring to the dance sector, wider communities and respective organisations. She has held roles as the Program Manager, Dance at the Australia Council for the Arts, where her responsibilities included; working with the board, policy and strategy, dance funding programs, key dance initiatives, such as Tasmanian Community Dance Project and Young Emerging opportunities for example, JUMP (2010-2012), Executive Producer for the 2014 Australian Dance Awards and is also an Independent Consultant for Arts and Dance with various clients across Australia.

As an arts leader, she is strategic, entrepreneurial and generous with her time and support of others. Michelle was born in the UK, where she studied dance at Arts Educational Schools London, followed by a post-graduate year at London Contemporary Dance School, The Place in 1992. Later in 2000-1, after moving into management and leadership roles, she undertook an intensive arts and business management course for arts leaders and was most recently awarded a subsidised place to attend short course in Australia for not-for-profit leaders by Harvard Business school.

During her 15 year professional dance career in the UK and Europe, Michelle worked across a variety of contexts as performer, touring Europe for over a decade, educator, choreographer, director, festival director, company manager and consultant. A particular highlight of her career in the UK included making a significant contribution to the dance infrastructure for the North East of England, through the formulation and delivery of a dance development plan with secured funding.

Creating, Supporting, Promoting Opportunity

Professional Development Series

Get Active Kids Voucher Program

Become a Member

Covid-19

Latest News

Covid-19 Updates

Ausdance Victoria: Supporting the Victorian Dance Sector

Members Only Preview

Become a Member

Isis Pattison

Ruby Howard

Christopher Wade

Natalie Cunzolo

Jacqui Maida

Meghann Burton

Ebony Ryan-Miners

Kyall Shanks

Co-Artistic Director

Caitlin Comerford

Co-Artistic Director

Marty Hirst

Communications Officer

Gillian Jordan

RTO Manager

Alisdair Macindoe

Kate Denborough

Amity Jarvis

Henen Haines

Treasurer

Amy Jennings

Secretary

Kelly Dickson

Chair

Alison McIntosh-Deszcz

Manager Marketing, Digital Media and Memberships

Shweta Kawatra

Marketing Communications Manager

Elise Brennan

Program Coordinator

Cathy Smith

RTO Operations Manager

Katrina Rank

Director of Education and Life Long Learning

Robbie Carmellotti

General Manager

Michelle Silby

Executive Director