History & Mission
An introduction to Dancehouse...
by Becky Hilton*
As the first organisation of its kind in Australia, Dancehouse was at the vanguard of contemporary dance practice twenty years ago and it continues to lead the way today. Quietly influential, having inspired like-minded organisations in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia, Dancehouse stands strongly and truly for independence, experimentation and for the belief that art is a necessary and powerful force in contemporary society.
Melbourne has always been the spiritual home of contemporary dance in Australia and as the form flourishes, Dancehouse evolves with it; sometimes in anticipation of and sometimes in response to the needs and desires of its communities. The Dancehouse vision has consistently offered crucial time and space for dance artists to explore and investigate the form, while also providing a range of opportunities for them to present and connect their work out into the world. Dancehouse is an internationally recognised centre for Australian contemporary dance practice, research and performance; it is also home to an actual and virtual community of Australian independent dance artists.
Look at any biography of Australia's most successful dance artists of the past twenty years and there you will find the name Dancehouse; unpretentiously, but profoundly and fiercely supporting independent dance and dance makers into the twenty first century.
* Choreographer, dance educator and Dancehouse current Board member
Dancehouse vision
Dancehouse exists to advance independent contemporary dance in Australia through its program of research, training and performance. Dancehouse creates an environment where creative risk, independent career paths, collaborative relationships and diverse practice and presentation can flourish. Dancehouse is also a crucial link to a network of movement practices, artists and organisations, in Australia and internationally.
As one of the key centres for choreographic and contemporary dance development in Australia, Dancehouse plays a significant role in the development of innovative dance practice and ongoing artistic enquiry. Dancehouse actively supports individual artists, working in diverse modes of physical practice and across different stages of career development. It is a dynamic venue for professional moving arts, which facilitates the development of artists, choreographers and audiences alike.
Dance is an intrinsic part of artistic and social culture. It provides a means to connect our histories and experiences of the world with others, to share our stories and aspirations and to imagine new possibilities for living. Dance reconnects us with our bodies and the way they exist to and for the world, interactively and productively generating that which is new, surprising and enlivening.
Dancehouse's artists, board members, staff and supporters are committed to creating a key Australian centre of artistic innovation and development for contemporary dance and the physical arts.
Mission
Facilitate the development and presentation of Australian contemporary dance through
- Providing access to a world-class facility that is affordable for performers, hirers and audiences
- Supporting dancers and collaborating artists and facilitate invention in their artistic practice
- Connecting and engaging with the artistic community through open and informed dialogue
- Involving a broader audience in and community for contemporary dance through the development of community outreach and other audience development programs
- Investigating new models and contexts for performance and presentation, research and professional development
As one of the key centres for choreographic and contemporary dance development in Australia, Dancehouse plays a significant role in the development of innovative dance practice and ongoing artistic enquiry. Dancehouse actively supports individual artists, working in diverse modes of physical practice and across different stages of career development. It is a dynamic venue for professional moving arts, which facilitates the development of artists, choreographers and audiences alike.
Dance is an intrinsic part of artistic and social culture. It provides a means to connect our histories and experiences of the world with others, to share our stories and aspirations and to imagine new possibilities for living. Dance reconnects us with our bodies and the way they function, interactively and productively generating that which is new, surprising and enlivening. Dance is both a viable business and a credible life-long career path.
Dancehouse builds a vibrant community of individuals and organisations, who value the creative process and the right to explore; who encourage difference and embrace individuality; and who seek to continually learn and evolve. This community includes dynamic artists, across the fields of dance, theatre, music and design, as well as important arts and service organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. Dancehouse wishes to acknowledge and thank those artists, partners and funding bodies who, through their contributions to the Dancehouse program, are actively supporting the profile of contemporary dance in Australia. Dancehouse also wishes to thank and congratulate the audiences who are an integral part of the continuation of Australian dance and who challenge and encourage us to refine and develop our art form.
History
In the early 1990's, a small group of Melbourne dance artists began to meet to discuss the need to develop a space which could provide continuity and support for the development of contemporary dance practice, inspired by their overseas travels and knowledge that such spaces existed outside Australia. This space could create an infrastructure to support professional independent dance artists working outside of company structures providing rehearsal, development and performance needs of dance artists in Australia and a focus and site for visiting international independent artists to meet with counterpart Australian artists. The small working party of Helen Sky, Sylvia Staehli and John McCormick formed to submit a three-month proposal for performances, classes and workshops under the title Dancehouse. A successful proposal was made to the Melbourne City Council (MCC) and the program was housed in July 1992 at 150 Princes Street, North Carlton, in the old Carlton Community Centre (Circa 1877), now known as Dancehouse.
The enormous success of the program and the support provided by the local dance community precipitated an ongoing ‘Calendar of Events'. With the continuing support of the MCC, and later the Yarra City Council (who took over the ownership of the building from the MCC) and the support of Arts Victoria and The Australia Council for the Arts, artists and audiences were drawn to Dancehouse and its community began to grow.
1992: Dancehouse opens and is run by artists on a volunteer basis, with a range of classes, workshops and forums.
1993: Dancehouse receives funding from the Australia Council for a program of events, including performance series, Touch and Bodyworks, coordinated by co-artistic directors Hellen Sky and Sylvia Staehli.
1994: Great Escapes and Mixed Metaphor seasons are presented for the first time.
1997: Renovations to the rear of the building, including a new gallery studio. The first Dance Lumiere screens at Dancehouse.
2001: New Artistic Director Helen Herbertson is appointed. Renovations including a new foyer and office.
2002: In celebration of the 10th year anniversary, Dancehouse and Councilor Jackie Fristacky of City of Yarra open the new foyer and officially name the downstairs theatre in memory of co-founder of Dancehouse, Sylvia Staehli.
2003: Dancehouse presents the inaugural season of The Dance Card. BalletLab's Nativity and Ros Warby's SWIFT Reframe are performed here as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
2004: New Artistic Director Dianne Reid is appointed. Graduate showcase and Dance flicks seasons presented for the first time.
2005: Dancehouse re-branding, including new logo designed by Midnight Sky and website designed by Sputnik Agency. The Joker, as part of the Melbourne Comedy festival presented for the first time; and Dancehouse partners with Westside Circus, Centre of Contemporary Photography and City of Yarra on the Rotary Youth Arts Project.
2006: Dancehouse receives recurrent funding as a key organisation from Australia Council and Arts Victoria.
2007: New Artistic Director/ CEO, David Tyndall is appointed.
Annual Reports
2007 Annual Report (PDF document)
2008 Annual Report (PDF document)
2009 Annual Report (PDF document)
