The Australia Council for the Arts has funded five arts organisations to stage performances, mentor local artists and engage with audiences to enable regional communities to experience contemporary dance.

Australia Council Director Dance Carin Mistry said the funding would allow regional audiences to see touring productions by major dance companies and choreographers, newly commissioned work and meet the artists through activities such as workshops and Q&A sessions.

“Contemporary dance is not often toured to regional areas, which makes it difficult for audiences to experience this type of dance and increase interest in this artform,” Ms Mistry said.

“This funding aims to change that by bringing renowned productions and artists to these communities to not only see the works, but to learn more about them and get involved by engaging with the artists. It builds on our investment in national touring through Playing Australia by creating local dance engagement programs lasting up to two years.”

The five organisations to receive funding are:

• Country Arts SA
• Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (WA)
• Ausdance Qld
• Frankston Arts Centre (Vic)
• BlakDance Australia in partnership with Performing Lines (National)

Country Arts SA has engaged Adelaide-based dance artist Larissa McGowan to curate a program for communities in Renmark and Mt Gambier consisting of performances, training for local artists and activities to create a two-way dialogue between companies and audiences. Touring works include Sydney Dance Company’s De Novo, which includes Ms McGowan’s comedic exploration of Alien vs Predator, Fanatic, and Expressions Dance Company’s Carmen Sweet. Dance films will also be shown and some performances will be held in public locations.

Ms McGowan said her two-year program would build connections between the dancers and the audience. “Unlike many other forms of dance, contemporary dance is often perceived as foreign to those not actively involved. This project will develop an open and egalitarian environment for every audience member to perceive and interpret contemporary dance in their own way,” Ms McGowan said.

Applications are now open for the Australia Council’s new grants model. The first round closes on 3 March.

For more information, go to: http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/new-grants-model/