National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association Dance College
The National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association Dance College (NAISDA) delivers vocational training in traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance to talented young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking careers in dance and arts.
NAISDA is one of the seven national elite performing arts training organisations funded through the Australian Government Arts and Cultural Development Program. In 2017-18, the Program provided over A$21 million to support these seven organisations to operate as national centres of excellence in elite training in the performing arts and benefiting over 1,000 elite performing arts students.
The Australian Government is proud to provide core funding to support NAISDA Dance College’s important work in producing empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and cultural workers.
NAISDA has received operational support through the Australian Government arts portfolio since 1995-96. NAISDA also receives support from the Australian Government through the Department of Education and Centrelink (ABSTUDY).
There is a sexennial Funding Agreement in place between the Australian Government and NAISDA for A$1.4 million from 2016-22, indexed and ongoing.
This support for NAISDA is in the spirit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 4.4: increasing the number of youth and adults that have the relevant skills for employment and decent jobs.
In 2018, the Australian Government provided an additional A$114,536 to the NAISDA Dance College to deliver a new Collaborative Series project to the seven national elite Arts Training Organisations. The project will deliver a collaborative series over two years (2019-20) for Indigenous students and will develop a cross art form performance. The aim of the project is to promote stronger ties between the students, and to support Indigenous students with the goal of increasing student retention.
- Delivery of elite education and training through Certificate to Diploma level courses.
- Provision of the best possible learning environment for students including excellent facilities and Information Technology fit for purpose.
- Engagement and retention of high-quality staff including the provision of ongoing professional development and employment conditions through the Enterprise Agreement.
- Attraction and retention of the best students through a merit-based audition program and provision of best practice training and education. Provision of pastoral care, accommodation, life skill education and career pathways are key elements of the educational experience.
- Growth of its resources including the development of the new Naya Wa Yugali facility, NAISDA Foundation and diversification of the income base through sponsorship opportunities. This also encompasses capitalising on the assets to develop income-generating programs and fee-for-service courses.
- Development of productive partnerships with peak bodies, arts and training organisation and other relevant bodies. This includes the development of the cultural residency program.
- Ongoing promotion and marketing activities to maintain the profile among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and raise the awareness with external stakeholders.
- Continue to develop the Alumni Ambassador Program.
- Development and implementation of a state and national community engagement strategy including fostering the Barang partnership.
- A$11.4 million over six years
- Additional funding of A$114,536 in 2018 for the Collaborative Series project
NAISDA consistently achieves its strategic goals. Performance is reported on a quarterly basis with verbal reports given monthly.