Apply now for the VDF Associates Program!

Applications are now open for the Victorian Dance Festival’s brand-new VDF Associates Program, launching in 2026.

This program is designed to support the next generation of dance professionals, helping bridge the gap from training into the industry. It provides hands-on exposure to multiple facets of the professional dance world – including assisting, production, teaching, and creative development – offering genuine insight into how careers are built beyond the studio.

Associates will assist instructors on stage during VDF 2026, participate in small-group discussions with leading choreographers, and contribute to production elements of the festival, including the IGNITE performance and SPARK production piece. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, receive career guidance from industry-leading professionals, and be featured across VDF’s media platforms.

The program is ideal for dancers in the final stages of professional training, recent graduates, or emerging professionals ready to take their next step.

Don’t miss this chance to gain invaluable industry insights and expand your horizons as an emerging dance professional. Apply now at victoriandancefestival.com/associates

VDF 2026 takes place 22-24 May at Melbourne Showgrounds.

VDF Associates, Image credit VDF