URGENT NEWS - funding cuts to Expressions Dance Company.....

Expressions Dance Company received news today of a devastating reduction in funding. With a cut of this magnitude it is unlikely the Company will be able to sustain its current level of activities. Therefore, the Company will have to curtail parts of its programme and possibly even close down.

This, of course, means that unless the funding decision is overturned, you and your students will no longer be able to participate in their education programmes.

This is devastating and appalling news news. The Company is financially stable, artistically vibrant and nationally and internationally acclaimed yet the reason why the Company should be treated so shabbily is still to be indentified.

If this news distresses you, please let both the Minister and the Premier know by sending emails and/or faxes. The contact details for your letters are:

The Hon. Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Email: ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.au
Phone: 61 7 3224 4500
Fax: 61 7 3221 3631

The Hon. Rod Welford MP
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
Email: educationandarts@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Phone: 61 7 3237 0111
Fax: 61 7 3229 5335

KEY POINTS FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The company has proven it’s relevance, innovation, viability and commitment to artistic excellence through it’s international, national and state profile, extensive contributions to primary, secondary and tertiary education, financial viability and stability, as well as providing full time work for Australian creative talent.

TO DATE EXPRESSIONS HAS:

	Created and presented more than 110 choreographic works by 55 different choreographers.
	Performed for more than 800 000 people
	Involved more than 350 000 students in Company activities through performances or workshops
	Undertaken 21 major tours in Queensland, 51 in-schools tours throughout Queensland, 10 interstate tours
	Undertaken 19 international tours to 15 countries
	Has been an employment hub for dance artists and arts workers. In 2007 the company approximately employed 65% of the permanent positions for Contemporary dancers in Queensland.
	Over the last 12 months the Company has produced and/or presented 9 works by independent choreographers. Over the same period, the company provided free studio space to 3 independent dance artists and secondments to 8 emerging artists.
	Been nominated and received numerous prestigious awards: 2007 Recipient of two National Awards - The Drovers, Awarded for Excellence in Tour Management and Tour Innovation. Also the only Queensland organisation to receive the Sidney Myer Award for excellence in the Performing Arts - Australia’s most prestigious national performing arts award. The company has also received Green Room award nominations for best performance, best choreography and best male dancer, Ausdance award nominations for Choreography and best male dancer, ASEA award for Excellence in Education in the Arts.