SCOPE
Australian Sports Commission
The dance artist and choreographer
SCOPE (Securing Career Opportunities and Professional Employment), is a unique professional development program providing career and education support services to Australia's professional dance sector. Conducted by the Australian Sports Commission in collaboration with the Australia Council for the Arts, and with support and contribution from Ausdance, this fully funded initiative is delivered by the National Coach and Athlete Career and Education program.
About the program
The philosophy of the SCOPE program promotes a balanced approach to the career of professional dancers and choreographers through a process of self-exploration, informed decision making and short and long-term planning. The aim of the program is to ensure dance artists proactively participate in and effectively manage their own career, education and personal development needs.
SCOPE aims to address three main areas:
- To improve the earning capacity of individual dance artists through career and education guidance and planning
- More effective management of the knowledge capital of dance artists through capturing information, mentoring and knowledge sharing, and
- To assist the dance arts community identify opportunities to create human capital through successful expansion, diversification and/or transition to alternative careers within the sector.
By utilising the infrastructure and expertise of the National Coach and Athlete Career and Education program, SCOPE has been developed to specifically meet the needs of the dance sector.
Services provided
SCOPE is a personalised program tailored to meet individual needs. Services to dance artists and choreographers include:
- individual assessment and career counselling
- the development of a career and education action plan
- personal and professional development courses
- employment preparation
- access to a tertiary scholarship fund
- mentoring
- business and industry networking and referrals
- access to ACE online – an interactive career development web site designed exclusively for elite performers
- access to a national network of career professionals
- transition planning and support.
Meet the 2008 participants
Profiles on some of the 2008 SCOPE participants are now available.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have any questions relating to the SCOPE program? Answers to frequently asked questions.
Supporters
SCOPE has been embraced by both the dance and sport sectors. Read more about this program support.
Program Coordinator
Kay Helliwell has extensive experience in providing vocational counselling and career guidance to elite performers. After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree majoring in human movement and psychology and postgraduate studies in counselling, she worked in vocational rehabilitation for a community health organisation. From there, Kay then moved to the Victorian Institute of Sport as an Athlete Career and Education Adviser providing personal and professional development support to elite athletes. Her involvement with sport continued when she established a player development program for the Melbourne Victory Football Club, and then worked as a project manager with the Australian Sports Commission to develop an e-learning program for elite athletes.
Kay also provided a consultancy service, assisting private clients and delivering workshop programs for the public sector. Kay is passionate about her role in the SCOPE program and the development of lifelong positive dance experiences for artists in Australia.
Further information
Dance artists and choreographers who are interested in the program can provide contact details. All SCOPE related information will then be sent to those who register their details, including information on the application process for program places.
