JUST BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S RIGHT.
Just because dancers have volunteered their time at major events for 'decades' doesn't mean it is the way it should be, or could be in the future.
Life evolves, we make mistakes, we learn, we teach. If 2020 is going to teach us something surely it is that we can review and have the conversation for change across multiple issues.
There is a major cultural issue currently regarding the value of Australian dance to our nation and no one seems to be discussing it holistically.
In short:
Recently, a call was put out for professional standard dancers to perform as volunteers as part of a large scale event that will be broadcast nationally.
This caused an uproar online which gained media attention.
The media attention was brief, and at times comical.
The major sporting organisation came out in defence saying they were only engaging the community, like they have done for decades, and will continue to do so to provide entertainment for their major event in years to come.
Result, dancers will perform, no dancers will be paid.
With this attitude, we are choosing to value a dancer's contribution to all major events as nil, for experience and to engage community. Income and employment of dancers zero. This all occurring whilst major sporting organisations, like the AFL in question are set to reach a $50 million profit this financial year alone.
Monday during a segment on the morning show SUNRISE, it was said by a host that you can't pay that many dancers (300). Well, for a large scale event, viewed by 3.8 million viewers last year and with a $50 million profit, I am sure there is room in the budget to take a little closer look at that.
So hypothetically, if you can’t pay 300 dancers to perform at the largest sporting event of the year. Can you pay 10? 20? 30? 40? 100?
Can we not actually have the conversation for the sake of value within our industry. The dismissive nature to the root of the problem is exactly the issue that demeans and devalues our industry and it’s worth.
This week, we’ve had the chance to have a serious conversation like this on national television and in the mainstream media. What was offered in the conversation was severely one sided and quite dismissive to any issue at all.
The journalism and approach to this deeply engrained systematic problem was washed over with a little bit of a shrug, throw in a joke and let’s get on with the game.
I ask you this. Without meaningful conversations and accurate journalism from our main stream media how do we change this rhetoric?
These events are not community events. I can tell you the performance opportunities for community dance (apart of course for 2020) are a plenty. Amazing not-for-profit and charity organisations doing wonderful jobs and providing these opportunities. Some also find room in their budgets to pay the dancers, entertainment and acts.
A For-profit event most definitely has the ability and some would say responsibility to build a culture in this country where entertainment is valued professionally. Just like every other role that takes part in such an event. Dance is a profession after all.
How amazing would it be if Australia changed the model for good?
To say, oh wow, we could actually do better. We could take the lead and bring entertainment value and worth to major events and create a culture that arts are valued just as much as every other industry.
It comes down to responsibility. That responsibility is ours and it’s yours, the media’s as well the major companies hiring entertainment at their events.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the culture of undervaluing dance, art and entertainment stops today.
In the short term, it is easy.
If you are asked, say no.
If you are asking. Make sure you budget for all aspects of your event. Including the entertainment.
The long term goal of changing the culture will take some time but it will be worth every inch of the effort.
The time is now to have serious discussions about proper employment opportunities for dancers in this country. For what are we worth, if our art and our profession is worth nothing.
#paythedancers #employthedancers #meaa #TheProjectTV #sunrise #dance #knowyourworth