About YDA
ABOUT YOUTH DANCE AUSTRALIA (YDA)
Youth Dance Australia (YDA) is a network of organisations and artists that advocate for and support best practice in dance with young people in Australia. YDA youth dance companies operate across a range of different models and genres, but have a shared ethos around youth dance practice.
YDA articulates and communicates the values and benefits of youth dance practice in Australia. It supports existing organisations, and assists in the development of new initiatives, expanding the access to and benefits of youth dance practice to more young people across Australia.
The YDA network creates opportunities for artists and practitioners who are often working in isolation to connect with and support each other by building connections, sharing resources, and developing collaborative projects. Connections between artists and companies provide opportunities for conversation around best practice, supporting the professional development of artists working in youth dance.
YDA works with partner organisations in the delivery of major projects and initiatives. This includes partnering with Ausdance VIC in delivering the biennial Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) and QL2 Dance for the Meet Up Festival.
MISSION
Youth Dance Australia’s mission is to support the growth and sustainability of youth dance practice in Australia. We will achieve this by:
articulating and communicating the value and benefits of youth dance companies nationwide.
offering opportunities for like-minded artists to connect, share resources, and upskill.
enabling artistic conversations in the pursuit of new collaborations.
ensuring the voices of young people are heard loud and proud.
providing support to our members while seeking out new initiatives.
Prioritising diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
VALUES
Collaboration
Creating and sharing
Artistic integrity
Empowering young people
Nurturing young artists
YOUTH DANCE PRACTICE
Youth dance practice expands on traditional dance training, and specifically engages young people as artists and thinkers as an integral part of the creative process to create original contemporary work.
Youth dance practice prioritizes the development of young people as artists, including the development of choreographic literacy, intellectual engagement, process-led dance making, and the discipline of creative practice.
Young people in this context are part of the creative process, supported by training, safe dance practices, professional collaboration, and high standards of presentation. We treat young people as artists, providing a non-competitive space for young dancers to connect and exchange ideas with their peers, develop their artistic voice, and learn in a supportive environment.
These structures, skills, and environments encourage young people to look beyond athleticism and fixed aesthetics to utilise discipline and self-control, to take risks, and to embrace complexity through creative processes, collaboration, and improvisation.
The interaction and collaboration between young people and professional artists is a core component of youth dance practice, connecting young people to the professional industry, diverse experiences, and innovative contemporary practices.
YOUTH DANCE COMPANIES
Youth dance companies are located all around Australia, ranging in age, size, and scope but sharing the same values and ethos around youth dance practice. They engage young people in a range of activities including the creation and presentation of original dance work, classes and training, and other personal and professional development opportunities.
The companies are led by professional artists with expertise in working with young people, and often employ a range of respected visiting artists to collaborate on projects. Companies often support alumni and emerging artists to develop their choreographic practice through commissions.