Speakers
Description
Research identifies that there is a “relationship between internationalisation, creativity and transformation in the context of higher education” (Smith & Vass, 2017, p. 1). Post-covid, the Creative Arts and Industries (CAI) International Committee at the University of Auckland has been key to how our university reconnects with the world. Stepping back into the international arts education space after a 3 year hiatus has required a re-alignment of our policy, values, and strengths, as well as an identification of new challenges. The CAI International Committee aligns with the University of Auckland strategic development plan in valuing sustainability, equity, creativity, and cultural diversity. As a committee, our policy for the internationalisation of arts education seeks solutions to global challenges in developing sustainable ecosystems, improving health and wellbeing for all, advancing just, cultured and engaged communities, and innovating contemporary, distributed, secure knowledge systems (University of Auckland, 2020). This paper presentation speaks to policy and practice as we advance international arts education.
CV
Professor Ralph Buck (PhD)
is Head of Dance Studies, and Associate Dean International, University of Auckland, New Zealand. His research and teaching focuses on dance education curriculum, dance pedagogy and community dance. Ralph is the UNESCO Co-Chair on Dance and Social Inclusion, and currently working within several international dance research and service organisations such as, World Alliance for Arts Education (WAAE). Ralph’s teaching and leadership has been recognised by: The University of Auckland Distinguished Teaching Award, 2008; Award for Leadership, 2010; Excellence Award for Equal Opportunities 2006; and, Creative Arts and Industries Research Excellence Award, 2016.
Sarah Foster-Sproull (PhD)
is a New Zealand based contemporary choreographer and Senior Lecturer in Dance Studies at the University of Auckland. Sarah’s choreographic research traverses large scale works for up to 100 performers, to intimate performances involving one or two dancers. Sarah was appointed Choreographer in Residence with the Royal New Zealand Ballet since 2020 and was a Resident Fellow of the Centre for Ballet and the Arts at New York University (’21). In 2021 she was a session choreographer with the New York Choreographic Institute affiliated with the New York City Ballet (’21, ‘23). Sarah is the Artistic Director of Foster Group Dance which has been government funded by Creative New Zealand since 2015, and was Creative New Zealand’s Choreographic Fellow for 2017-2019. To date, her choreographic work has been performed in the New Zealand, Singapore, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Fiji. In her career as a performer, Sarah was a founding dancer and choreographer of The New Zealand Dance Company. In addition, Sarah is a distinguished graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance.
