Ausdance VIC and Kwabo Events Announce 2026 Creative Industries Incubator
Kwabo Events and Ausdance VIC have announced the 2026 Kwabo Creative Industries Incubator, a free 10-week professional development program designed by and for People of Colour (POC), delivered as part of the HARAMBEE Creative Futures project.
The incubator runs from 12 September to 15 November 2026 at Phoenix Youth Hub in Footscray, providing POC emerging creatives, artists and POC international students with practical experience, industry mentoring and pathways towards employment in Victoria’s creative industries.
HARAMBEE Creative Futures is a three-and-a-half-year initiative led by Ausdance VIC and Kwabo Events and funded by VicHealth through its Shifting the Playbook program. Building on two successful pilot incubator programs delivered by Kwabo Events in 2023 and 2025, the project aims to strengthen cultural safety, employment pathways and representation for People of Colour and Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) artists, dancers and arts workers across Victoria.
The project focuses on creating greater access to employment, leadership and professional development opportunities while supporting creative environments where People of Colour feel safe, recognised and valued. The 2026 Kwabo Creative Industries Incubator is a key part of this work, giving participants practical skills, industry connections and opportunities to apply their knowledge in a professional creative setting.
The 10-week incubator will offer three specialist workshop streams: Artistic Production, led by Effie Nkrumah and guests; Creative & Event Management, led by Gracieuse Amah and guests; and Stage & Production Management, led by Jenny Le and guests.
Workshops will take place on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, with an all-day session on 19 September.
The program recognises that many artists and community members possess valuable creative skills and lived experience but have limited opportunities to gain professional experience in areas such as event management, artistic direction and stage management.
Through practical workshops, industry mentoring and hands-on project delivery, participants will develop skills that can diversify their creative careers and income streams.
The program will culminate in a participatory community event at Kwabo Fest 2026, giving participants the opportunity to apply their skills in a live creative environment.
Participants may also be considered for paid industry placements during 2026–2027 with host organisations including Dancehouse, Cypher Culture, Kwabo Events and participating local government partners. These placements will provide valuable workplace experience and opportunities to build professional relationships and pathways into employment.
No formal experience or training is required. The program is open to People of Colour, including emerging creatives, artists, international students and community members.
Gracieuse Amah, Founder and Creative Director of Kwabo Events, said the incubator is about creating long-term pathways into the creative industries.
“The creative industries need more diverse leaders, producers and decision-makers. The Kwabo Creative Industries Incubator gives People of Colour the opportunity to develop practical industry skills, expand their professional networks and gain industry experience that can lead to meaningful employment,” Gracieuse said.
HARAMBEE Creative Futures brings together expertise from the arts, education, community and local government sectors to address systemic barriers that can limit participation and career progression for People of Colour. Delivered by Ausdance VIC in partnership with Kwabo Events, local councils, Dancehouse, the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Nga Matai Purua and other community partners, the project is focused on developing culturally safe practices while creating stronger pathways into employment, leadership and professional development.
A central focus of the project is amplifying POC voices, stories, knowledge and lived experiences. By creating opportunities for artists and communities to lead, contribute and be visible, HARAMBEE Creative Futures aims to support a performing arts sector that better reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Ausdance VIC Head of Projects and Partnerships, Deborah Prentice, said the incubator demonstrates how the project is turning its broader goals into practical opportunities. “Creating meaningful employment and professional development pathways is an important part of building a more culturally safe and representative arts sector,” Prentice said.
For more information on the HARAMBEE Creative Futures project visit https://ausdancevic.org.au/program/harambee-creative-futures-project/
Image courtesy Ausdance VIC