NSW dancers innovate in local & global arenas

The Innovating Dance Practice (IDP) grant is an initiative of Ausdance NSW to assist professional dance practitioners residing in NSW to develop and innovate their practice through funds made available by Arts NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

The first round of grant recipients has been announced. These celebrated dance artists come from all over the state, from Western Sydney to Regional New South Wales. They will partake in mentorships and residencies to explore new mediums for research and development. These outcomes go beyond NSW borders and span the globe across three continents.

Ausdance NSW Director Michelle Silby stated, “We are really thrilled to have been successful in initiating this opportunity for independent dance artists in NSW. This [IDP grant] aims to support peoples’ dance practice through small one-off grants that inspire and develop dance artists’ skills.”

Arts NSW Executive Director Michael Brealey said six NSW dance practitioners have been awarded up to $5,000 each to develop and innovate their practice.

“True to its vision, Create in NSW, the NSW Government is working to build the skills of our diverse dance practitioners and to raise their profile and recognition here and overseas,” Brealey said. “I’m delighted that this initiative to innovate dance practices is helping such a variety of talented dance professionals around the state to stretch their limits and reach their goals.”

Recipients include:

Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, who is researching on embodied anatomy and kinesiology for dance. She is training in an international course based in New York City. She is passionate about integrating cultural histories and physicality through somatic training principles in coastal New South Wales.

Ryuichi Fujimara will undertake a mentorship with Dance Artist and Body-Mind Centring Practitioner Alice Cummings in Melbourne. They will explore somatic and perceptual techniques to generate original ways of moving, to refine technique and to develop sensitivity to the relational field.

Sarah Houbolt will undertake an exploration project in partnership with Sydney Dance Company. She will explore her partial sight in relation to dance, with particular focus on researching new ways of stacking the senses, audio enhancement, kinesthetic touch learning and new technology.

Patrick Lartey (Lucky) is a Sydney-based choreographer/dancer originally from Ghana, West Africa. Patrick will travel to Ankata in BoBo, Burkina Faso, West Africa to complete a four-week dance residency with Serge Aime Coulibaly and the Faso Dance Theatre. He’ll share his key learnings through forums in Africa and Australia.

Lewis Major will embark on an intensive period of professional development through a one-on-one mentorship with acclaimed NSW choreographer and Artistic Director Shaun Parker. He’ll develop his choreographic and dramaturgical skills as a dance maker.

Carl Sciberras will travel to Malta and explore his familial roots. Mentored by Francesca Tranter, artistic director of Contact Dance Company, he will participate in her curated summer program “Dance Hybrid Malta.” He’ll participate in workshops, conduct research with local folk and dancers, and develop work with artists.

Photo: Artist Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal in Opal Vapour. Photo by Lucy Parakhina.