blakdance x strut dance bursary

We are thrilled to announce a cohort of First Nations artists who will be participating in the PERTH MOVES 2024 workshop series in February.

Jackie Sheppard (Tagalaka, Dagalag)
Keia McGrady (Githabul Migunberri Yugumbeh)
Audrey Goth-Towney (Wiradjuri)
Harlisha Newie-Joe (Goemu and Wagadagam)
Tamara Bouman (Birrpai)
Maddison Holly Fraser (Palyku, Yindjibarndi)
Zakayyah Ibinoh MacLean (Nyiyaparli)
Olivia Adams (Wulli Wulli)

BlakDance and STRUT Dance have been working on systemic anti-racism and anti-colonial change. One of our collaborations has been to ensure access for First Nations dancers for Perth Moves Workshop Series, to provide professional development and training through a meeting of many different dance artists and practices from around the world.

Workshop facilitators include Daniel Riley from Australian Dance Theatre (SA) and Marrugeku (WA), alongside Ta’alili (Aotearoa), Eisa Jocson (PHIL), Michele Rizzo (Italy), Nick Coutsier (Belgium) from Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, The Farm (QLD) and Akram Khan company (UK).

This partnership between BlakDance and STRUT reflects the organisations’ shared goal to address the historical lack of support for First Nations contemporary dance artists and improve the representation, opportunities, and career pathways available for First Nations artists in contemporary dance.

BlakDance and STRUT thank First Nations members of STRUT’s Artistic Advisory Group (2023) Janine Oxenham (Malgana Yamatji) and board member Joshua Pether (Kalkadoon) who provided advice and support for this programme.

First Nations artists generously supported by BlakDance, STRUT Dance, Co3, Arts Tasmania, Fiona Stanley, Joshua Pether, Mallard Contracting, Shane Colquhoun, Sue Peacock, and an anonymous donor.

Perth Moves is presented by STRUT Dance as part of Perth Festival in association with Tura and has been assisted by the State of Western Australia through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, City of Perth, The Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Judy and Wilmot Matthews Foundation.