The Hanny Exiner Foundation
Formation and Purposes of the Foundation
Johanna (Hanny) Exiner was one of the great influences in the development of dance-movement therapy in Australia. Many of those work in the field in Australia learnt from Hanny not only many valuable skills and insights about dance as therapy but also, most essentially, about the nature of dance itself. In 1997, when she opened the Dance Therapy Conference, she spoke of her implicit beliefs in the aesthetic experience of dance itself as a powerful and healing tool. Hanny's life and work was honoured in a special edition of 'Moving On', the DTAA Quarterly magazine in September 2008.
The National Library of Australia's Australia Dancing Collection has more information about Hanny Exiner here.
The Hanny Exiner Fund was established in 2001. Its existence is due to the vision of Hanny's late husband, Bob, and the generosity and interest of their sons, Ron and Jess Exiner. The Fund is now a Foundation whose major purpose is to provide financial assistance for people undertaking research in the field of Dance-Movement Therapy. It also aims to encourage a broader range of research and to increase understanding of Dance-Movement Therapy methodology and its effects.
Trustee – Dance-Movement Therapy Association of Australia (DTAA)
Picture: Heather receives award
from DTAA Past President
Denis Kelynack at the DTAA
AGM 2005
Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation Annual Achievement Award
The Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation presents an annual award, the Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation Achievement Award, to recognise a new, significant piece of writing or other contribution that advances the field of dance-movement therapy or exceptional service to the profession.
The award is decided by the HEMF Committee on the basis of an annual review of contributions to the DTAA journal Moving On and/or in consideration of recommendations from members of the Dance Movement Therapy community.
The award is comprised of a gift and citation and is presented at the Dance-Movement Therapy Association of Australia's Annual General Meeting.
Recipients are entitled to add 'Winner of the Hanny Exiner Foundation Annual Achievement Award' to their Curriculum Vitae.
Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation Research Grants
The Foundation’s funds are invested so that from time to time it offers small grants for research in dance-movement therapy. Grants are made for research, or discrete projects that contribute towards research, that are assessed to advance the field of dance-movement therapy and the quality of practice. Small projects that can contribute to future larger studies are also considered relevant for consideration. The findings of research projects funded by HEMF are reported in ‘Moving On’, the DTAA Quarterly journal and on this website.
Research Grants 2010
The Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation is now inviting applications from persons in Australia intending to or currently conducting research, or projects that could contribute towards research, that will advance the field of dance-movement therapy and the quality of its practice. Small projects that can contribute to future larger studies are eligible.
HEMF recognises that the advancement of the field of dance-movement therapy requires that research be undertaken and reported on. The awarding of the grants is as much to provide public encouragement and recognition of this work as financial assistance.
The Foundation is offering two grants of up to $2,000 each in 2010.
All projects are to:
- be from applicants who are students or practitioners in the field of dance therapy, or working towards the development of dance-movement therapy, in Australia, whether or not they are members of the Dance-Movement Therapy Association of Australia,
- be conducted in Australia,
- be carried out into the use of dance-movement therapy, or relating to it, (e.g. could be into the use of music for dance-movement therapy) to contribute to its unique knowledge-base,
- contribute to the understanding and further development of the practice of dance-movement therapy in Australia: to broaden the understanding of its effects.
Reports from the research will be published in Moving On, the DTAA’s journal, and on their website.
The deadline for applications for 2010 has passed.
Donations
The Foundation invites all interested persons to make donations in order to generate more funds to support research and dissemination of the research findings. Donations should be addressed to The Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation and sent to:
H.E.M.F., C/O DTAA
P.O. Box 641, Carlton South,
Victoria 3053
Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation Managing Committee
Naomi Aitchison, retired (previously dance therapist and dance educator)
Dianne Albiston, Clinical Program Manager at ORYGEN Youth Health
Ron Exiner, Company Director
Jill Groom, retired
Jane Guthrie, Physiotherapist, Department Head and Team Leader, Epworth Hospital
Dr. John Lloyd, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Phyllis Lloyd, Medical Practice Manager
Enquiries:
Naomi Aitchison: (03) 9878 1602 or
email: dtaa@alphalink.com.au