Ian RT Colless
Philanthropic funding is helping dancer/choreographer, Ian RT Colless, develop his skills in the Big Apple.
Ian RT Colless portrait by Anthony Michael.
Ian RT Colless is one of Australia’s most innovative emerging dancers/choreographers. Currently based abroad, he maintains strong links with his Indigenous community in Australia (his heritages are from the Gundungurra nation in the Blue Mountains, NSW, and Ireland).
In 2008 the Artistic Director of Battery Dance Company (BDC), Jonathan Hollander, invited Ian to attend a one-year practical training apprenticeship with the company in New York.
While excited, Ian was daunted by the fact that the opportunity required him to undertake a tour of Germany and Japan – at his own expense. He contacted Artsupport Australia’s Director, Louise Walsh, to seek advice on how to secure funding for the tour.
‘Artsupport Australia assisted in teaching me how to approach people in a sensitive way to ask for support through donations. I did not feel I had the capabilities or confidence to secure the additional funds to support this part of the project, but I did! By trusting in my new developing capabilities I managed to make my dream a reality,’ says Ian.
‘I am very fortunate for the support of my community which has given me the chance to represent our communities through creativity,’ adds Ian.
Published 2011
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