The Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) proudly introduces LOFT, a groundbreaking residency program designed to empower independent dance artists in South Australia and across the nation. This inaugural initiative offers an unparalleled range of opportunities, highlighted by the Expound Residency, Australia’s largest dance residency of its kind, fostering innovation and creative excellence for dance makers.
A joint initiative between Australian Dance Theatre and CreateSA, LOFT is a dedicated space for independent dance in South Australia that takes up residence at Level One, Lion Arts Centre. Additionally, ADT will continue offer opportunities for independent artists at The Tanja Liedtke Studio, which is upstairs at The Odeon in Norwood.
Led by recently appointed Executive Producer Viviana Sacchero, who has relocated to Adelaide for the role, LOFT has been designed to respond to the many years of consultation and reviews of the local dance sector, with a program designed to maximise opportunities for dance artists to develop new work, interrogate ideas, and extend their practice.
“I’ve been really blown away by the dedication and passion of the South Australian dance sector,” says Viviana, “and in designing LOFT, we wanted to give independent dance artists, particularly South Australian makers, the space they’ve been craving to take their work to the next level, while also giving them the opportunity to foster connections nationally.”
LOFT is launched with three distinct tiers to nurture dance artists across Australia. The Experiment Residencies offer artists a week of free studio time in The Tanja Liedtke Studio, with 19 weeks available throughout the year to spark new ideas. The Explore Residencies provide one week of free studio access at Level One, Lion Arts, alongside a $3,000 grant to delve into choreographic concepts, with up to eight residencies offered in 2025, each including a free workshop or masterclass for the community. The pinnacle Expound Residency, the largest of its kind in Australia, grants one artist a six-week residency at Level One, Lion Arts, with a $30,000 grant to develop their work, evaluated by esteemed dance leaders Marilyn Miller, Michael Keegan-Dolan (Micháel MacAodhagáin-Ó Dobhailen), and ADT’s Artistic Director Daniel Riley. LOFT sets a new standard for dance residencies, fostering creativity and collaboration nationwide.
“The amount of space, time and funding on offer is mega,” says Sacchero, “We really wanted to meet artists where they’re at – whether they’re at the start of their journey and need space to test the initial spark of an idea, or if they’ve got something ready for final-stage development, there’s a place for it at LOFT.”
Additionally, the company announces that Gabrielle Nankivell is the recipient of the PEAK Residency, which will see her project Conjuring receive free studio time, $12,000 cash and support from Adelaide Fringe. Additionally, independent South Australian choreographers Zoë Dunwoodie, Janelle Egan and Motus Collective will each receive one week of studio time and a small stipend to develop projects through LOFT.
“2025 is a huge year for us,” says Executive Director Nick Hays, “with every member of the company working tirelessly to deliver exceptional outcomes for our community of artists and audiences. ADT has always been a place that has sought to support dancers at every stage of their career – we provide access to free classes for professional dancers every weekday, we offer professional development and masterclass opportunities wherever we can. Now, with LOFT, we’re poised to provide more opportunities than ever before to independent artists.
“It’s taken a few months of planning and lots of hard work, but we hope that the independent sector is excited by the opportunities on offer at LOFT.”
The announcement of LOFT signifies the broad support for independent dance in South Australia.
“The commencement of LOFT follows the Malinauskas Government’s launch of A Place to Create,” says Minister for the Arts, Andrea Michaels, “a new 10-year cultural policy for South Australia, which is designed to embed creativity and the arts into the lives of all South Australians.
“Key to our Cultural Policy is making South Australia a hub for artistic expression and ensuring artists have spaces to create and develop their skills.
“Our dance sector is diverse, vibrant and punches well above its weight. It’s incredibly exciting to see Australian Dance Theatre and LOFT provide a wealth of incredible opportunities to the independent dance community and I cannot wait to see the amazing work that will be created through this initiative.”
Applications for the Experiment, Explore and Expound Residencies are now open.
Share this:
