Opportunities
International Young Choreographers Project 2024
Applications from emerging Australian choreographers are now being called for this international opportunity.
The IYCP has been providing young choreographers with this invaluable artistic and cultural experience since 1999. Read about previous Australian participants’ experience here.
Closing date is 16 December 2023.
About the International Young Choreographer Project
The International Young Choreographer Project (IYCP) is held in southern Taiwan in July/August and is hosted by World Dance Alliance Asia–Pacific Taiwan chapter. Eight choreographers from the Asia-Pacific region are chosen by WDA Asia Pacific (WDAAP) to attend.
Participants are selected from a list of young choreographers recommended by World Dance Alliance country chapters (Asia Pacific, including Australia, the Americas and Europe), based not only on their choreographic work, but also on their ability to meet the challenges of working in a foreign country with unfamiliar dancers and culture, and their potential as a significant contributor to dance in the future.
The selected choreographers work with selected dancers from Taiwan. The three-week process of developing new works with local Taiwanese dancers concludes with two performances. The program highlights the diversity of dance in both styles and cultures, and how local and international choreographers perceive their daily lives and the world.
Participants must fund their own travel to Taiwan. However, an honorarium of US$800 for WDAAP choreographers is included, plus accommodation, local transportation, dancers, studios, publicity, production and office assistance.
Australian applicants must be members of Ausdance (find your local Ausdance).
Information for applicants
Application forms are available from Ausdance National.
In addition to contact information, applicants will be asked to answer these questions:
- What you would gain from a professional experience such as this?
- Why would you like to work in Asia?
- A brief concept of your proposed work.
- A 200-word biography and a resume/CV.
Closing date is December 16 2023.
Ausdance National Board – 2022 call for nominations
Ausdance National calls for nominations to fill several board vacancies on the National Council at the Annual General Meeting.
The AGM will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 28 June 2022 at 12.30pm AEST.
Nominations must be made by email to the National President, Lizzie Vilmanis, by Friday 27 May 2022 via the nomination form, and signed by a nominator and a seconder, each of whom are members of the association. Nominees must be Ausdance members.
General information
In accordance with Ausdance National's Constitution, all National Council roles are volunteer positions.
At present the organisation is not staffed, but the National Council acts as national headquarters and provides leadership on national matters. National Council members are expected to work towards achieving the vision and mission of the association, but there is no obligation for them to carry out duties other than those required by the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 Australian Capital Territory.
Currently, the National Council meets monthly online, and between meetings its board members carry out both governance and operational duties.
Responsibilities of Ausdance National
The National Council is responsible for overseeing:
- The formulation of policies and programs for Ausdance National.
- Effective communication and collaboration with the Ausdance network and the membership.
- National dance advocacy programs on behalf of the dance community.
- The financial management of Ausdance National.
- The sourcing of funds for Ausdance National’s activities.
- The administration of the Ausdance Fund listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations.
National Council membership
The National Council seeks a composition of individual professionals and cultural leaders that is reflective of the diversity of the wider community. The National Council values self-determination of First Nations Peoples and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to nominate. To service the current mission of the association, candidates who have recognised knowledge, skills, and experience in two or more of the following areas will be highly regarded:
- Dance
- Advocacy
- Health and wellbeing
- Education
- Justice, equity and inclusion
- Accountancy
- Law
- Arts and Cultural Management
- Marketing
- Public relations & communications
- Corporate governance
- Information technology
- Human resources
- Business and systems development
- Strategic planning and change management
- Policy development
- Legislative Processes
Ausdance National is actively committed to helping to build a safer and more inclusive dance sector, and we seek individuals for the National Council who:
- Respect, acknowledge and value First Nations Peoples and Cultures.
- Are committed to advocating for equity, anti-discrimination and intersectional diversity in the Australian dance environment.
- Prioritise and support safe spaces for such discussions.
- Value the unique capacity of dance for cross-cultural exchange, knowledge-sharing, artistic expression, healing and storytelling.
- Will promote and engage in respectful communication, interactions and behaviour across all platforms throughout the dance community.
Nomination process
Along with your nomination form, please outline your skills, knowledge and experience relevant to dance, governance, and/or the skills outlined above.
The following selection criteria will also be considered:
- A commitment to the development of dance in Australia.
- A commitment to serve the mission of Ausdance National.
- Proven ability to think strategically in a changing and dynamic environment.
- High-level skills, knowledge and experience that will significantly contribute to the good governance and future vision of Ausdance National and the Ausdance network.
Based on consideration by the National Council, a shortlist of the candidates who fulfil the board requirements will proceed to member vote at the AGM. Nominees must be members of Ausdance.
Where multiple candidates are recommended by the National Council for a position, these candidates will be selected by election at the AGM.
Appointed positions are for a two-year term.
Contact
Please contact National President Lizzie Vilmanis for further information and to express your interest in nominating.
Get Active Kids Voucher Program, Victoria
The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families in Victoria get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each.
Children aged between 4 to 18 and named on a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card to be eligible.
Dance is an approved activity on the program and you can redeem your voucher for dance via the terms of the program.
Contact Ausdance Victoria for details.
Apply for Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year Program 2019
Calling all aspiring professional dancers aged 18–24 years, applications are now open for Sydney Dance Company's Pre-Professional Year 2019.
“Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring dancers to gain exposure to Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. Pre-professional dancers will develop all the skills essential for a lifelong career in contemporary dance as well as being provided with unique professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities under the guidance of the artistic staff of Sydney Dance Company.” Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company
Key information
Applications are open to Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents only.
Application closing date: Monday 27 August 2018
Audition: The first round of Pre-Professional Year auditions will be an online application process that includes a video submission.
Successful first round applicants will be invited to a second round in-person audition at Sydney Dance Company Studios on 17 September 2018 between 9am and 6pm.
For more information please visit 2019 Pre-Professional Year Audition Application.
Australia Council Arts Project funding to support crucial dance sector priorities
Ausdance National has received $64,860 from the Australia Council’s Arts Projects program to support the position of a new executive director who, in 2018, will work towards achieving outcomes that support identified sector priorities.
Under the leadership of a senior arts professional, and supported by a skills-based board, Ausdance National will advance prioritised national agendas across education, research, health, employment, and sector development.
Dancer–makers: apply for Tasdance Makers Company
Expressions of interest are sought from contemporary dancer–makers for Tasdance professional ensemble 2018–20.
Tasdance has embarked on a daring new approach to the nature of the professional contemporary dance ensemble to become the Tasdance Makers Company.
Call for papers—The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet
Edited Volume: The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet
Editors: Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel (Faculty of Education, RAD) and Dr Jill Nunes Jensen (Loyola Marymount University)
We are seeking contributions to an edited volume on contemporary ballet. The book will posit ‘Contemporary Ballet’ as a new domain within the broader frameworks presently recognised by discourses in dance.
Nail that 3-minute pitch closed workshop
We invite practitioners to submit an expression of interest to participate in a skills-based closed workshop. Facilitated by a panel of experts, this session will provide you with practical tools and develop your pitching skills.
This is a closed workshop session, open to practitioners who may or may not be using digital technology in their practice. The session is limited to 12 participants.
Please complete the EOI form, attach your proposal and a brief CV, and email to Ausdance National by Friday 15 September 2017.
Call for expressions of interest—present at National Dance Forum 2017
2017 National Dance Forum
25–26 September, Victorian College of the Arts
Photo: Sydney Dance Company. Gideon Obarzanek’s L’Chaim! Photo by Wendell Teodoro.Apply for 2017 International Young Choreographers’ Project
National Indigenous Dance Forum—join the Curatorial and Community working groups
The National Indigenous Dance Forum (NIDF), in partnership with Yirramboi Festival (Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival), will take place from 5–7 May 2017 in Melbourne.
It's time to get involved! Be part of the NIDF curatorial or community working groups (or join BOTH).
Shaun Parker & Company seeks executive producer
Shaun Parker & Company is one of Australia’s most far-reaching dance companies, having toured extensively internationally to 18 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. Based in Sydney, the Company has delivered a range of award-winning dance theatre productions, outdoor festival works and transformative dance education programs. Shaun Parker & Company has secured funding until the end of 2020, having been awarded multi-year funding from Arts NSW and four-year funding from the Australia Council. Shaun Parker & Company is renowned for its powerful, humanist, dance theatre productions, which have touched audiences across the globe, transcending borders and demographics.
Call for applications—Sydney Dance Company pre-professional year 2017
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for Sydney Dance Company's 2017 Pre-Professional Year. Australian and New Zealand dancers aged 18 or over are eligible to apply.
Led by course Director Linda Gamblin, this nationally accredited one year intensive offers students the chance to work with some of Australia’s most renowned choreographers and dance educators. Students will develop their technique, artistry and performance skills alongside members of Sydney Dance Company led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela.
Sir Matthew Bourne auditions male dancers for Melbourne production
Arts Centre Melbourne, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Re:Bourne, the charitable arm of New Adventures are working towards a major creative project that will culminate in a one week season at Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre in Autumn 2017.
This project offers an opportunity for Melbourne-based dancers to work for one month with choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne’s leading international dance company.
Sir Matthew Bourne and other members of the New Adventures team will be in Melbourne in August 2016 to audition six male dancers to join the company for this one-off project at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Key information
- Audition date: Saturday 6 August 2016 (applications required)
- Recalls: Sunday 7 August 2016
- Where: Auditions and recalls will be held in a centrally located venue in Melbourne
- Rehearsals & season: Sunday, 14 August 2016 (workshop) & Monday 13 March – Sunday 9 April 2017
- For Melbourne-based male dancers with at least three years of professional level training in classical or contemporary dance with a stage appearance age between 14–22.
- Audition notice and application information on the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
- Applications close COB Tuesday 12 July 2016.
Arts Centre Melbourne seeks two community dance artists for one-off project
Arts Centre Melbourne, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Re:Bourne, the charitable arm of New Adventures are working towards a major creative project that will culminate in a one week season at Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre in Autumn 2017.
This project offers an opportunity for Melbourne-based dance artists and physical performers to work with a leading international dance company.
Sir Matthew Bourne and other members of the New Adventures team will be in Melbourne in August 2016 to find two community dance artists to join the company for this one-off project at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Key information
- For artists with experience in classical or contemporary dance, physical performance, mentoring of young people and dance workshop delivery.
- Interview & workshop date: Monday 8 August 2016
- Training: Friday 12 – Monday 15 August 2016
- Outreach workshops: Monday 3 October – Sunday 11 December 2016 (P/T) & Saturday 18 February and Sunday 19 February 2017
- Rehearsals & season: Monday 13 March – Sunday 9 April 2017 (P/T and F/T)
- Further details and position description on the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
- Applications close COB Tuesday 12 July 2016.
Write for Brolga—an Australian journal about dance
Submissions are open for Brolga #41 under the broad theme 'A place for dance'.
Key information
- Submissions due 31 August 2016
- Email your submission to the editor Olivia Millard
- Brolga guidelines for contributors (48 KB PDF)
The art and community ecology in which dance exists is delicate and complex. As with the fight for survival by animals in compromised environments perhaps it is the ‘charismatic’ or ‘innovative’ artists who survive. If so, where is the place for the dancers and dance makers who exist outside the realm of publically notable; who eschew spectacle or even notoriety? And how is it possible for a dancer to find their dance place in the rich history of skill and experimentation?
Dancehouse’s Housemate Residency
The Housemate Residency is about accompanying dance artists through the entire creative process, from vision to realisation. The program offers time to explore, space to examine possibility and the financial support to bring the Resident's project to fruition.
EOI submissions close 7 July 2016 at midnight.
Be part of Tasdance’s Dark Mofo performance
Apply for the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance 2017
Apply now for the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance. Applications close 1 June 2016.
Choreographic Practices journal: call for contributions
Key information
- Choreographic Practices is an international peer-reviewed journal.
- Full article should be approx 6,000 words.
- Deadline for full essays: 1 June 2016
- To submit a contribution email [email protected].
- For questions about the theme or focus of your submission, please email Robert Vesty (associate editor for this special issue).
This special journal issue of Choreographic Practices—WORDS and DANCE—aims to draw together, contribute to and exemplify debates around the use of spoken word in current and future 21st Century dance practices as well as its place in the contemporary cultural landscape.
What are the intersections between spoken words (in the form of live narrative, poetry, dialogue or writing) and choreographic practices?
What is the relationship between the word and the move?
How can/do spoken words and dance work together, especially in improvisatory practice?
What implications does the use of voice have in dance practice?