In 2022, The Mill undertook a First Nations Dance Community Consultation with SA-based dance artists, to understand their needs and challenges. This consultation has informed the development of a broader extended program to benefit the First Nations dance community as a whole.
In 2023 The Mill created our First Nations Dance Program supported by BlakDance (QLD) and Australian Dance Theatre, coordinated by proud Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Kaurna woman Caleena Sansbury, supported by The Mill’s CEO/Artistic Director.
In 2024 the program continues with the aim to support First Nations dancers and dance groups who reside in South Australia by offering them the following - as identified needs through the consultation;
Business development and grant writing skills workshops
Free rehearsal space at The Mill
Residencies at The Mill
Culturally safe dance technique classes at The Mill and ADT
Culturally safe choreography and composition classes at The Mill and ADT
Secondments at ADT to learn about the creation of a new work
Project planning/pitching/producing mentorship from BlakDance
Through this program, artists are supported to explore new ideas, interrogate existing work, explore new collaborative relationships, and/or research their movement practice in connection to Country and kin. They are supported to make new work and explore dance practice to develop new or existing ideas or processes and make space for experimentation and culturally engaged collaboration.
