Overview
The Indigenous World Dance Residency provides Indigenous dance groups with the time, space, and resources to work on a current project. Under the guidance of Alejandro Ronceria and Santee Smith, participants will receive access to a Banff Centre dance studio to work on their proposed project. During the second and third weeks, artists will have access to Banff Centre's Jenny Belzberg Theatre to experiment with stage access and lighting in their projects. At the end of the program, participants will present a short excerpt of their work in progress on stage during a public performance.
What does the program offer?
The Indigenous World Dance program offers Indigenous choreographers and their dance groups from around the world the opportunity to create alongside Banff Centre’s dance faculty and production teams - including dramaturgy, choreography, sound composition, and other design – to workshop and apply initial production elements to their dance project. Participant choreographers will develop their creative concepts, and engage in one-to-one and group mentorship in choreography and dance as well as deep dramaturgical exploration to further their project. Through examination of voice and the process of re-embodiment, including daily movement work, choreographers and dancers will experiment with developing and re-defining their own body histories and language. The residency will also provide integrated opportunities for critical feedback, and creative dialogue circles with fellow choreographers and dancers.
Additionally, this program is pleased to offers senior choreographers the time and space to work solo on a research or written project referencing aspects of Indigenous World Dance in a vibrant and creative atmosphere.
Who should apply?
This residency is open to Indigenous dance groups from around the world, seeking to develop new and in-progress projects, and Senior Choreographers looking for the space and time to further a research project. We especially welcome applications from mid-size dance groups, with a maximum group size of ten. Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
We welcome the following categories of applicant:
- Indigenous World Dance projects - new works or further development of a work in progress - choreographers should apply as the lead applicant for the group and include details of all dancers who will accompany them to Banff.
- Senior choreographers applying as individuals focused on research, writing, and studio investigation, should have a minimum of 10 years professional or relevant artistic experience, with a substantial body of work and recognition from relevant communities.
Indigenous World Dance Residency invites applications from Indigenous choreographers and their dancer groups, from anywhere worldwide and artists of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities, and expressions.
