Dancenorth has experienced phenomenal success in 2016, and the company is not slowing down, with a focus on festivals and touring taking precedent as the company continues to create exceptional contemporary dance in 2017.
This year saw the company receive six national award nominations, present five new works created by seven internationally regarded Australian choreographers, perform in 32 cities across Australia and Japan, and successfully secure funding from Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Queensland for the next four years.
Dancenorth Forts Shoot by Amber Haines.
“It has been a truly phenomenal year for Dancenorth,” said Artistic Director Kyle Page. “In 2017, the focus for the company is about expanding the national and international reach and reputation. Dancenorth is emerging as a flagship Australian contemporary dance company and proud ambassador for regional arts in Australia.”
In 2017, Dancenorth will create seven new works, including three international collaborations. It will perform in five international arts festivals and is even planning a North American tour, with more announcements to come.
“We start the year with Spectra at Sydney Festival and are currently working on a main stage work called Attractor in collaboration with Lucy Guerin Inc., Indonesian music duo Senyawa and Gideon Obarzanek,” Page shared.
“Next year, we are working on three international collaborations and a major site-specific community work with the Urab Dancers from Poruma Island, Torres Strait,” he continued. “There is a great deal of international touring on the horizon, and a major Australian tour of Rainbow Vomit, a work we created earlier this year designed for audiences of all ages.”
Dancenorth’s Mason Kelly in ‘3 Dancers’. Photo by Amber Haines.
Dancenorth has become a cultural and artistic hub not only for exceptional artists to create new works but also in supporting the independent dance sector and the future of the industry. In 2016, Dancenorth hosted two artistic residencies for independent creators with their A.R.T. (Artist Residency in the Tropics) Program, hosted 35 dance secondments and held dance workshops for over 6,000 participants with the support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.
“As we begin to tour more frequently, we plan on offering up our studio and theatre to support the independent sector,” Page said. “We want to share our resources in order to support and promote the development of contemporary dance practice in Australia.”
Page was recently recognised as the Australian Institute of Management Emerging Leader of the Year for the North/Far North Queensland Region and in the Townsville Bulletin as one of the top 50 most influential people in North Queensland.
To keep up with all of Dancenorth’s activities and announcements, visit www.dancenorth.com.au.
Photo (top): Dancenorth. Photo by Amber Haines.
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