Bangarra Dance Theatre Receives Golden Lion

Australia's Bangarra Dance Theatre, an Indigenous dance company, has been awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in dance at the Venice Biennale. This prestigious award, first presented in 1995, will be formally conferred during the Venice Danza international festival of contemporary dance, commencing in July.

Frances Rings, Bangarra's artistic director, described the award as a validation of the company's role in presenting First Nations stories through dance.

A Historic Recognition

Bangarra holds the distinction of being the first company and the first First Nations performers to receive the Golden Lion for dance. This significant achievement follows recent Golden Lion awards to other Australian entities, including Back to Back Theatre for theatre in 2024, and artist Archie Moore for art, also in 2024.

Wayne McGregor, the outgoing director of Venice Danza, stated that Bangarra has created a significant shift in the understanding of dance and its cultural context.

Company Overview and Mission

Bangarra Dance Theatre was established in 1989 by Rob Bryant, Carole Y Johnson, and Cheryl Stone. Stephen Page served as the artistic director until 2022. The company's core mission is to share First Nations stories, thereby contributing to broader understanding and awareness of Indigenous cultures.

Upcoming Performances

Bangarra is scheduled to perform 'Terrain', a work choreographed by Frances Rings in 2012, at Venice Danza in July. This production examines the environmental impacts of colonization and highlights the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge in caring for land.

The company will also premiere 'Flora' with the Australian Ballet in Melbourne in March, followed by a tour to Sydney. Additionally, the production 'Sheltering' is slated to visit Brisbane and Canberra in May.