Creative Childhoods Summit - Safeguarding in Performing Arts
About
The Creative Childhoods Summit is a flagship event presented by Dance Arts Alliance, dedicated to strengthening the safety, wellbeing, and positive development of children and young people in Dance & Performing Arts education.Bringing together studio owners, educators, organisations, industry leaders, and experts in safeguarding, child development, mental health, education, and governance - this one-day symposium positions child safety not as optional professional development, but as a core responsibility of leadership.
Designed for real-world application, the summit will provide practical strategies, clear guidance, and meaningful professional reflection to help businesses, teams and educators elevate their practices and organisational culture, to ensure our young artists feel safe, respected, included, and supported to thrive.
What “child safe” looks like in Dance & Performing Arts isn’t always obvious. Many of us are doing our best to navigate evolving expectations without a clear, consistent benchmark or roadmap.
The Creative Childhoods Summit has been designed to help change that.
We invite studio owners, experienced and emerging educators (18+), and industry professionals to join us for a powerful day of learning, discussion, and connection featuring:
• Leading voices from dance and performing arts education, child safeguarding, child development, psychology, mental health, education, and government
• Current research and emerging insights shaping best practice in safeguarding across Dance & Performing Arts
• Practical application of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations within studios, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and performance environments
• Guidance and support to help leaders navigate challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and accountability
• Opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals committed to creating safer, healthier industry environments for children and young people
Through keynote presentations, interactive sessions, Q&As, and shared dialogue, this summit creates space to learn, reflect, ask questions, share solutions, and strengthen leadership practice across our industry.
The Creative Childhoods Summit represents the beginning of a broader movement toward stronger safeguarding standards, healthier cultures, and collective responsibility across Dance & Performing Arts education.
We invite you to be part of this important conversation. Your voice matters, and your leadership has the power to help shape safer futures for every child and young person in your care.
*DAA MEMBERS: Contact us for your discount code to receive $50 off the ticket price, as well as FREE entry for 2 x additional team members in your organisation!
Date
Friday 14 August 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
Sydney Dance Company
Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Wharf 4, 5/15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000