BLAK FUTURES

In a revolutionary moment for Australian dance, Blak Futures was an unprecedented two-day event that saw First Nations Artistic Directors of multi-year funded dance companies gather on Kaurna Yerta to plant the seeds of the future of Blak dance and artistry.

Facilitated by Marilyn Miller and Wesley Enoch AM, Blak Futures saw Gary Lang (NT Dance Company), Frances Rings (Bangarra Dance Theatre), Jacob Boehme (Idja Dance Theatre), Dalisa Pigram (Marrugeku), Daniel Riley (Australian Dance Theatre), Joel Bray (Joel Bray Dance), Katina Olsen (Dance Makers Collective) and Thomas E.S Kelly and Taree Sansbury (Karul Projects) commune, consult and collaborate with artists, producers, government stakeholders, industry members, and First Nations Elders and artists to mark this moment and look boldly forward.

The 2024 iteration of Blak Futures saw the creation of two collective statements, one speaking to the national priorities of the Blak dance sector and one crafted specifically for the South Australian landscape. These statements are a galvanising call for change that seek to build a sustainable, diverse, and thriving sector that prioritises care, collaboration and creative risk taking. The learnings, ideas and provocations arising from these statements were presented to audiences at a public roundtable discussion that was held on the final day of the 2024 Adelaide Festival.

Noting the incredible history of dance, particularly Blak Dance, in this country, Blak Futures is a starting point that sees some of the nation’s finest artists weave together their collective experience to spark change and ignite important conversations about our cultural landscape, supporting the development of Blak artists, audiences, authentic community consultation and connection, and the development of infrastructure that will have ripple effects for artists in every corner of the community.

IMPACT Award Winner

We’re thrilled to accept a 2024 Impact Award for Blak Futures with Australian Dance Theatre and Adelaide Festival. Winners for PAC Australia’s IMPACT Awards were announced on Wednesday 21 August 2024 at the Geelong Arts Centre, as part of the Australian Performing Arts Exchange (APAX).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of South Australian First Nations artists, industry and community members who provided invaluable insight into the local ecology. We would also like to thank Uncle Rex Angie (Narungga, Kaurna, Bungala, Nauo, Wirangu, Ngadjuri), Aunty Deanna Newchurch (Narungga, Kaurna, Adnyamathanha, Ngaduri, Ngarrindjeri) and Uncle Eddie Newchurch (Narungga, Kaurna, Adnyamathanha, Ngaduri, Ngarrinderi) from Idja Dance Theatre for their Eldership, care, and guidance throughout Blak Futures.

We would like to thank representatives from Arts South Australia, Creative Australia and performing arts companies from all over Australia for attending and supporting Blak Futures. We acknowledge that dance, particularly Blak dance, involves a rich tapestry of artists, creatives, makers, Elders and community members. It is a diverse and thrilling area of arts practice. These statements are a starting point, a kernel of provocation and advocacy that seek to start a conversation with a broad range of creators across the nation through continued consultation. We thank all working in the sector for their artistry, passion and perseverance in creating work that sparks inspiration and connects audiences to culture and country.

Blak Futures was co-presented by Australian Dance Theatre, BlakDance and Adelaide Festival as part of the Time to Talk Series. The program was generously supported by Arts South Australia. The gathering was held at The Odeon from 16 - 17 March 2024, coinciding with the final weekend of the 2024 Adelaide Festival and the world premiere season of Daniel Riley’s Marrow.