First Collective Residencies

In partnership with Australasian Dance Collective (ADC), First Collective Residencies is designed to support established and emerging First Nations choreographers and dancers.

ADC and BlakDance are thrilled to launch First Collective Residencies for established and emerging First Nations choreographers and dancers.

The two-year program will host eight leading First Nations guest artists, including raymond blanco, Vicki Van Hout, Yolande Brown, Jasmin Sheppard, Joel Bray, Katina Olsen, Karul Projects and Amrita Hepi as Resident Choreographers.

Each choreographer will explore their artistic practice, working with an ensemble of eight dancers; the six ADC company artists as well as two roles for First Nations dancers for each residency. Each residency will be held in ADC’s studio in the Judith Wright Arts Centre and will include masterclasses for local artists to connect with, and learn from, the guest artists.

First Collective Residencies, supported by QASP funding by Arts Queensland, strives to address the increasing demand for First Nations performance works of scale by supporting the creation of new and diverse performance work and providing a pathway to future mainstage commissions.

This partnership between BlakDance and ADC reflects the organisations’ shared goal to support First Nations choreographers and create pathways for First Nations dancers.

BlakDance will also provide support to ADC through application of its best practice cultural governance framework and processes for management of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

First Collective Residencies commences in November 2023 with the first Resident Choreographer, Vicki Van Hout.

We are also thrilled to announce that Olivia Adams will take up the role of Associate Producer on the First Collective Residencies program, with Industry Placement funding by Arts Queensland.

Each resident choreographer will deliver a Masterclass to share their practice with local dance artists. To read more and see details about upcoming masterclasses click the button below.