DANCE COMPASS 2009 - HOTHOUSE FOR DANCE TALENT  

Sydney again hosted a career development and industry orientation program for young dance graduates transitioning into the professional world of contemporary dance.  The program runs in partnership with Ausdance NSW and was hosted at the University of New South Wales in November 2009.

Photo credit: Sol Ulbrich 

Dance Compass showcased the work of up to 40 young dancers from around Australia and provided them with a unique opportunity to work with established choreographers and industry professionals and perform their work in a schedule of public performances, classes and practical workshops.  The emerging choreographers and dancers, with high-level dance training at tertiary level, benefited from a wealth of creative ideas and experience as they work with leading choreographers including: Rafael Bonachela (Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company), Leigh Warren (Artistic Director, Leigh Warren & Dancers),  Narelle Benjamin, Padma Menon, Shaun Parker, Sol Ulbrich and Dean Walsh. Rosemary Butcher, a UK based choreographer and teacher will also conduct workshops.

Classes and rehearsals were integrated with sessions on career management and industry orientation delivered by experienced arts professionals – producers, production managers and administrators.

Dance Compass provided graduates with a valuable opportunity to test ideas and present their choreography in a supportive, though challenging, environment.  A selection of the graduates' choreography was performed to an industry audience, with a  panel of dance professionals providing feedback on the work.    

According to participants in the 2008 program, Dance Compass is an important step in the right direction for participating graduates.  Paula Lay, one of the young participants in a collaborative work presented last year said she found Dance Compass "A very valuable experience.  The forum to talk informally and formally to the professional artists gave insight and encouragement to continue."

Photo credit: Sol Ulbrich

Ausdance NSW looks forward to continuing its role as program partners in 2010.

Dance Compass is organised by Vanessa Chalker and gratefully acknowledges program partners Ausdance NSW and Ars Musica Australis for their assistance.

 
AUSDANCE NSW
CREATEdance RESIDENCY PROGRAM 2010

 

Ausdance NSW announces the recipients of the CREATEdance Residency Program 2010, hosted at Diana Reyes Flamenco Studios, Newtown and Sydney Dance Company studios. This initiative is a direct response to the ongoing challenge of access to affordable and appropriate spaces for the development of dance in the Sydney metropolitan area. 

The program offers 18.5 weeks of studio time free of charge to selected independent contemporary dance artists and companies for creative development, rehearsal of work, work in progress showings, mentorships and the development of their dance practice.

2010 RECIPIENTS

Dean Walsh
2 week residency │ Creative development - Foreign Language
   
De Quincey Co
3 week residency │Rehearsal Period - No Cold Feet
   
Patricia Wood
3 week residency │Creative development - Sudden Happenings
               
Martin del Amo
2 week residency │Choreographic research - Burb
           
Emma Saunders
2.5 week residency │Transitional and Creative Development project
   
Lisa Griffiths & Craig Bary
3 week residency │Final creative development - Side to One
   
Fiona Malone
3 week residency │Creative development - On Ice
       
The CREATEdance Residency program is an initiative of Ausdance NSW and gratefully acknowledges support from Sydney Dance Company and Diana Reyes Studio.

 
Basic Business Series – coming March 2010!

Basic Business Series is a series of short skills and development programs, Basic Business, aimed at supporting tertiary dance graduates and professional practitioners in: grant writing, developing budgets, contracts and insurance requirements. 

Basic Business is a comprehensive practical workshop program with specialist tutors and federal, state and local government speakers, providing you with vital information and tips to help you get that grant in 2010. The program will be run in March for the lead up to the Australia Council for the Arts grant round in May and Arts NSW in June. Watch out for more news in late January, 2010.