Dance

Dance is the unspoken, universal language.

It carries us through passion and physicality, tension and release, and celebrates what it is to be alive. When we dance, we lose inhibitions, release imaginations and open our minds to surprising impacts. When we watch dance, we’re spellbound by the fluency of the human body.

In Australia, dance is thriving. It’s vibrant in spirit, hugely varied in styles, and accessible to Australians of all ages. Around the world, our dancers draw stellar praise from the critics: astonishing, unconventional, energy-packed, poetic, in-your-face, furious, self-deprecating, lethal, original, incredible...

Australian dance is anything but ordinary. It reflects our dynamic journey as a people - coming from many cultures, blending a wealth of dance traditions into an artform that’s as unique, and powerful in spirit, as our vast continent.

The lyrebird is a dancer. That’s how Australian dance is.

Indigenous dancers directory launched An online reference where the breadth of Indigenous dance can be found in one place, with the click of a mouse is now available.

Results from January 2008 Grant round The Dance board of the Australia Council met from the 21 to 23 January to assess grant applications from the 1 November 2007 closing date. Of 75 grant applications assessed, 29 were funded (38%) at a total of $719,913.

Tony Yap's trance dance As a dancer Tony Yap is influenced by his research into Asian sharmanistic trance dance and Butoh. His next challenge is a major solo work 'Budda Body Series' which will further explore techniques of Javanese dance and vocal work.

Wesley Enoch leads Australia's delegation to Festival of Pacific Arts The Australia Council for the Arts today announced the appointment of Wesley Enoch as artistic director of Australia’s delegation to the 2008 Festival of Pacific Arts, to be held in American Samoa in July 2008.

Treading the pathways Sydney Festival was filled with dancers and choreographers moving and shaking in January. Added to the throng of people connecting with some of the best Australian contemporary dance works were a group of choreographers, supported by the Australia Council's 'Treading the pathways' initiative.