2017-18 Australia Council International Residencies announced

The Australia Council for the Arts has announced the 21 artists chosen for its 2017-18 International Residencies program. The residencies will provide the artists with the opportunity to develop their practice and build knowledge, networks and partnerships.

Of the 21 artists, five are dancers – including Nicola Gunn (East Melbourne, VIC), Rachel Arianne Ogle (Mount Lawley, WA), Matt Shilcock (Adelaide, SA), Natalie Abbott (Carlton North, VIC) and Anna Seymour (Northcote, VIC).

Australia Council for the Arts Chief Executive Tony Grybowski congratulated the successful artists and said the Council’s research revealed that artists who undertook residencies felt that it provided critical time and space to advance their professional practice and immerse themselves in a new arts context, community and market.

“An international residency enriches the work of the artist and contributes to Australia’s engagement with creative innovation and meaningful cultural exchange. This is a unique experience for artists to immerse themselves in their chosen art form within a global context, creating connections and partnerships that will support and influence their future work,” Grybowski said.

The Australia Council has offered international residencies since 1979, forging relationships with some of the best international residency providers and delivering world-class opportunities for Australian artists across North America, Europe and Asia.

Learn more about the dance artists selected for the 2017-18 International Residencies program:

– As a writer, director and dance dramaturg, Nicola Gunn’s residency at the Cité International des Arts Studio in Paris will allow her time and space to develop a new solo performance, build artistic relationships in Europe and explore potential collaborations with different artforms. She will also present her work Piece for Person and Ghetto Blaster, which Dance Informa recently reviewed at Dance Massive in March at Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne.

– West Australian dance artist Rachel Arianne Ogle will also take up residency at Cité International des Arts Studio in Paris. She will develop and challenge her dance practice during her residency, focusing on improvisation in performance integrated into choreographic processes. It will culminate in a series of short solo works, the foundation for a new full-length work. Ogle was one of the choreographers whose work was presented by Sydney Dance Company as part of the company’s New Breed season last year. (Read the Dance Informa review for New Breed here).

– South-Australian based dance artist and martial arts student (he’s a 2nd Kyu in Budo Taijutsu) Matt Shilcock will take part in the Helsinki International Artist Programme in Helsinki. He will research and develop material in collaboration with Helsinki dance companies for use in group and solo work, culminating in an immersive performance work.

– Melbourne-based choreographer and performer Natalie Abbott (a 2007 Victorian College of the Arts Dance graduate) will also take part in the Helsinki International Artist Programme. She will embark on a three-month dance-making, risk-taking and art-expanding residency engaging in mentorship and creative development. She will also focus on establishing a practice within an EU context, culminating in a series of performances. Abbott’s choreography was presented as part of Dance Massive 2015.  

– Finally, Anna Seymour has been invited to the Omi International Arts Centre in New York. Born profoundly deaf, Seymour is a contemporary dancer and choreographer who will spend three weeks with 10 accomplished international dance artists engaging in collaboration, creative exchange and improvisation under the direction of the Dance Omi Director and an alumni mentor.

For the full list of the 2017-18 Australia Council for the Arts International Residency artists, visit www.australiacouncil.gov.au.

Photo (top): Nicola Gunn’s Piece For Person and Ghetto Blaster. Photo by Gregory Lorenzutti. Photo (left): Natalie Abbott’s Maximum was presented at Dance Massive 2015. Photo by Gregory lrenzutti. Photo (right): Anna Seymour in rehearsal. Photo by Pippa Dodds.