Australian dance is a big hit in the US it seems, with a leading performing arts presenter recently revealing that US universities are particularly interested in Australian exports. Martin Wollesen, artistic director from the University of California, San Diego, said “Universities have an active interest in connecting artists, students and community. More university presenters are looking internationally, so Australian companies have a greater opportunity to access the US touring circuit”. The Australia Council for the Arts will capitalising on this news by attending the world’s largest performing arts market, the Arts Presenters Conference. The conference takes place in New York from the 21st to 24th January 2006, and attracts more than 4000 international performing arts presenters. Nine dance companies will be profiled through the Australia Council for the Arts’ Dance Down Under promotion, which includes Chunky Move, Balletlab, Dance Works, Expressions Dance Company, Helen Herbertson, Leigh Warren and Dancers, Liz Lea, Lucy Guerin Inc and Ros Warby. Dance Down Under has been promoting Australian dance at the conference for the past three years, and has made significant steps to exporting Australian performing artists. Australia Council for the Arts Acting CEO, Cathy Brown-Watt, said “the US is a huge market for the performing arts. The strong physicality and adventurous nature of Australian dance gives our artists a distinctiveness that US presenters are looking for”. For more information, contact Dianne Lavender, Communication Officer, on (02) 9215 9071 or email [email protected], or visit www.ozco.gov.au/media_centre.