Movement, Movement: Dance Sector Symposium 2026

Access as Creative Practice: Expanding & Exploring Possibilities 

Panellists:  

What becomes possible when access is part of how we imagine, create and experience dance, embracing diverse lived experiences, ways of working and bodies from the very beginning?  

Some of the most exciting developments in dance are emerging from artists and organisations rethinking whose bodies, experiences, perspectives and ways of engaging shape the creative process. Bringing together disability-led, culturally informed and diverse artistic perspectives, this panel explores how access across disability, culture, language, changing bodies and life stages can open up new ways of making, performing and experiencing dance. From diverse ways of moving, communicating and participating to experiences of pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause, the conversation considers how lived experiences and evolving relationships with our bodies can enrich artistic practice, challenge assumptions and expand creative possibilities for artists and audiences alike.  

Stronger together: Growing Dance Where We Are 

Panellists:  

How can we work together to create more opportunities for artists and help dance thrive where people live and work? 

Bringing together perspectives from Western Sydney, regional NSW and beyond, this panel explores how artists, organisations, councils, festivals and communities are finding creative ways to support dance through collaboration. From sharing spaces, resources and knowledge to building stronger networks, funding opportunities and career pathways, the conversation looks at what makes partnerships work and how they can benefit artists and communities. It will explore practical ways to grow, sustain and deepen dance practice and place-based making across different geographies, cultures, practices and disciplines.  

Space to Dream: Dance, Digital Culture & New Ways of Engaging  

Panellists:  

How can artists embrace new technologies, audiences and ways of working while shaping the future on their own terms? 

Technology is transforming how dance is made, shared and experienced. From social media and digital platforms to artificial intelligence, immersive experiences and new forms of creative collaboration, artists have more opportunities than ever to connect with audiences, communities and ideas beyond traditional performance spaces. Yet these possibilities raise important questions. How do artists remain grounded in their values and creative practice while navigating rapid change? How can they build the confidence, skills and knowledge to recognise opportunities, experiment with new tools and contribute to shaping the future of the sector? And how can they protect their creative work, cultural knowledge and rights along the way?