First Collective Residencies

In partnership with BlakDance, First Collective Residencies is designed to support established and emerging First Nations choreographers and dancers.

About

ADC and BlakDance are thrilled to launch First Collective Residencies for established and emerging First Nations choreographers and dancers.

The two-year program will host leading First Nations guest artists, including raymond blanco, Vicki Van Hout, Yolande Brown, Jasmin Sheppard, Joel Bray, Katina Olsen and Amrita Hepi as Resident Choreographers.

Each choreographer will explore their artistic practice, working with an ensemble of eight dancers; the six ADC company artists as well as two roles for First Nations dancers for each residency. Each residency will be held in ADC’s studio in the Judith Wright Arts Centre and will include masterclasses for local artists to connect with, and learn from, the guest artists.

First Collective Residencies, supported by QASP funding by Arts Queensland, strives to address the increasing demand for First Nations performance works of scale by supporting the creation of new and diverse performance work and providing a pathway to future mainstage commissions.

This partnership between BlakDance and ADC reflects the organisations’ shared goal to support First Nations choreographers and create pathways for First Nations dancers.

BlakDance will also provide support to ADC through application of its best practice cultural governance framework and processes for management of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

First Collective Residencies commences in November 2023 with the first Resident Choreographer, Vicki Van Hout.

We are also thrilled to announce that Olivia Adams will take up the role of Associate Producer on the First Collective Residencies program, with Industry Placement funding by Arts Queensland.

Expressions of Interest

#Guest Company Artists

We have opportunities in 2024 and 2025 for First Nations dancers to join the ADC Company Artists in the studio as Guest Company Artists throughout the First Collective Residencies Program.

We are seeking expressions of interest from Australian First Nations dancers, who have strong skills in improvisation, task work and contributing to creative processes. We value authenticity, sensitivity, and resilience. We welcome professionals from emerging to established and all genders and backgrounds.

Expressions of Interest

Masterclasses

Each resident choreographer will deliver a Masterclass to share their practice with local dance artists. To read more and see details about upcoming masterclasses click the button below.

About BlakDance

BlakDance is the national industry and producing organisation for First Nations contemporary dancers and choreographers. BlakDance develops the capacity and professional pathways of contemporary First Nations dance artists, incubates emerging small to medium dance companies and supports artists and communities to connect, collaborate, make and share performance works nationally and globally.

BlakDance was first established in 2005, with a national mandate, as a direct outcome of the watershed National Indigenous Dance Forum. The organisation is a self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation, governed by a voluntary Board and by a dedicated BlakDance Cultural Council that guarantees First Nations cultural knowledge and governance at all levels. Across two decades, BlakDance has grown to become an irreplaceable organisation in the Australian dance ecology, vital to the First Nations performing arts sector nationally and internationally.