September 2, 2019

DANZ – critical funding cuts

Dr Tania Kopytko              posted 2 Sep 2019, 09:56 AM

Have others seen the quiet but critical statement sitting at the bottom of the recent DANZ email newsletter? – DANZ funding cut.

Why has DANZ received this damming response from Creative New Zealand? It has gone from Totara funding to what? Nothing?

DANZ produces our only national dance magazine, provides career and development tailored mentoring to diverse dance organisations and practitioners, advocates broadly on the significance of dance as an essential universal human expression as well as cultural and art form and co-ordinates, supports and collaborate on innovative dance events and strategic initiatives.

CNZ announced in its last funding round:

Creative New Zealand increases arts sector investment by $27 million and confirms 80 arts organisations for its investment programmes

https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/news/creative-new-zealand-increases-arts-sector-investment-by-27-million-and-confirms-80-arts-organisations-for-its-investment-programmes

CNZ increases investment but public money has been withdrawn from a public organisation providing public service and good to a significant sector of our culture. I think the public, the sector and DANZ has a right to know from Creative New Zealand why this has happened?  What is the rational for the funding cut to an apparently fully functioning and delivering organisation?

There will always be a need for advocacy and development in dance because the environment always changes and “earthquakes” like this can always happen. This is disrespectful and disregarding of 26 years of service and provision to the NZ dance industry sector, by staff and volunteers who have fought for and built the organisation to work for their industry – an organisation which came out of a call from the industry. DANZ has succeeded in uniting, as well as is possible, what was a very weak and fragmented sector. It has initiated projects which created common understanding and respect for dance in all its diversity. It has elevated dance. We have much to be grateful for and there is much work yet to do which needs a national and united voice.

There is no other dance or performing arts organisation which has an umbrella approach across the dance sectors. DANZ has also at times welcomed allied theatre and circus practitioners to essential training, not provided elsewhere, and those practitioners have always appreciated DANZ’s industry resources.

DANZ asks for your support – it is time to act and provide it.

We have greatly appreciated all the messages of support, appreciation and encouragement from the sector to date and welcome any input you may like to offer as we pursue forward support for delivering and growing services that the New Zealand dance sector fully deserves.

The comment from DANZ says they “welcome any input” – so I suggest to dance people if they have anything positive to say or constructive criticism, then they should communicate directly with DANZ. danz@danz.org.nz

If things need to change, or are OK, let the organisation know, because uncertainty is a huge hurdle at such a stage.

Equally, if people feel strongly that DANZ should be supported and continue then both the Minister of Arts and Culture (our Prime Minister) and CNZ should be emailed or written to.

This is not a time to sit back and wait if people are concerned. Numbers, information and communication is critical to DANZ.

“DANZ strives to create a friendly, accessible, fair, and professional environment. Consulting, respecting the diversity of dance, encouraging opportunities for information sharing and dialogue are at the core of our service.” DANZ Facebook

yours sincerely

Dr Tania Kopytko

Have others seen the quiet but critical statement sitting at the bottom of the recent DANZ email newsletter? – DANZ funding cut.

Why has DANZ received this damming response from Creative New Zealand? It has gone from Totara funding to what? Nothing?

DANZ produces our only national dance magazine, provides career and development tailored mentoring to diverse dance organisations and practitioners, advocates broadly on the significance of dance as an essential universal human expression as well as cultural and art form and co-ordinates, supports and collaborate on innovative dance events and strategic initiatives.

CNZ announced in its last funding round:

Creative New Zealand increases arts sector investment by $27 million and confirms 80 arts organisations for its investment programmes

https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/news/creative-new-zealand-increases-arts-sector-investment-by-27-million-and-confirms-80-arts-organisations-for-its-investment-programmes

CNZ increases investment but public money has been withdrawn from a public organisation providing public service and good to a significant sector of our culture. I think the public, the sector and DANZ has a right to know from Creative New Zealand why this has happened?  What is the rational for the funding cut to an apparently fully functioning and delivering organisation?

There will always be a need for advocacy and development in dance because the environment always changes and “earthquakes” like this can always happen. This is disrespectful and disregarding of 26 years of service and provision to the NZ dance industry sector, by staff and volunteers who have fought for and built the organisation to work for their industry – an organisation which came out of a call from the industry. DANZ has succeeded in uniting, as well as is possible, what was a very weak and fragmented sector. It has initiated projects which created common understanding and respect for dance in all its diversity. It has elevated dance. We have much to be grateful for and there is much work yet to do which needs a national and united voice.

There is no other dance or performing arts organisation which has an umbrella approach across the dance sectors. DANZ has also at times welcomed allied theatre and circus practitioners to essential training, not provided elsewhere, and those practitioners have always appreciated DANZ’s industry resources.

DANZ asks for your support – it is time to act and provide it.

We have greatly appreciated all the messages of support, appreciation and encouragement from the sector to date and welcome any input you may like to offer as we pursue forward support for delivering and growing services that the New Zealand dance sector fully deserves.

The comment from DANZ says they “welcome any input” – so I suggest to dance people if they have anything positive to say or constructive criticism, then they should communicate directly with DANZ. danz@danz.org.nz

If things need to change, or are OK, let the organisation know, because uncertainty is a huge hurdle at such a stage.

Equally, if people feel strongly that DANZ should be supported and continue then both the Minister of Arts and Culture (our Prime Minister) and CNZ should be emailed or written to.

This is not a time to sit back and wait if people are concerned. Numbers, information and communication is critical to DANZ.

“DANZ strives to create a friendly, accessible, fair, and professional environment. Consulting, respecting the diversity of dance, encouraging opportunities for information sharing and dialogue are at the core of our service.” DANZ Facebook

yours sincerely

Dr Tania Kopytko

Tania Kopytko   posted 2 Sep 2019, 10:46 AM

The message in the DANZ newsletter:

As some readers may be aware, Creative New Zealand’s recent investment funding round did not deliver the news of secure funding that DANZ had been hoping for to support our much needed and evolving programme of services to the dance sector and community. At the time of writing, DANZ is engaged in ongoing discussions to ensure the dance sector remains well positioned and supported by its national body to build future sustainability, resilience, innovation and growth. We have greatly appreciated all the messages of support, appreciation and encouragement from the sector to date and welcome any input you may like to offer as we pursue forward support for delivering and growing services that the New Zealand dance sector fully deserves. 

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