Australian Dance Theatre Launches New Initiative LOFT
The three residency programs offer dance artists the chance to express their creative ideas in a welcoming and encouraging space.
Image morgan Sette
Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) are doing their bit to encourage the next generation of dance artists with the announcement of new residency program, LOFT. In conjunction with CreateSA, the LOFT is a dedicated space at Level One, Lion Arts Factory, with three different residency options open to independent dancers.
Executive Producer Viviana Sacchero, who relocated to Adelaide, is running the LOFT and aims to help cultivate our local dance scene and maximise opportunities for artists.
“I’ve been really blown away by the dedication and passion of the South Australian dance sector,” says Viviana, “and in designing LOFT, we wanted to give independent dance artists, particularly South Australian makers, the space they’ve been craving to take their work to the next level, while also giving them the opportunity to foster connections nationally.”
The three tiers of residency are Experiment Residencies, Explore Residencies and Expound Residency, which is the largest of its kind in Australia. Below is a quick summary of each tier and what they involve.
Experiment Residencies: Artists who are accepted are given one free week of studio time in The Tanja Liedtke Studio to develop a new idea. There are a total of 19 weeks of studio time available throughout 2025.
Explore Residencies: Along with one free week of studio time at Level One, artists are awarded $3,000 to help bring their idea to life. Successful applicants must also present a free workshop or masterclass as part of the residency. There are up to eight spots available throughout the year.
Expound Residency: Also held at Level One, this six-week residency includes a $30,000 grant and is open to artists naturally. Applications will be assessed by dance leaders Marilyn Miller, Michael Keegan-Dolan (Micháel MacAodhagáin-Ó Dobhailen), alongside ADT’s Artistic Director Daniel Riley.
Applications for all three residences are open now via adt.org.au.
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Along with the announcement of LOFT, the ADT is excited to reveal Gabrielle Nankivell as the recipient of the PEAK Residency.
Receiving a $12,000 grant and support from Adelaide Fringe, Nankivell will continue to develop Conjuring (or how to make the show between us), her experimental, choreographed performance exploring live, collaborative dance between performers and audiences.
In addition to Nankivell being granted the PEAK Residency, South Australian artists Zoë Dunwoodie, Janelle Egan and Motus Collective will each receive one week of studio time and a grant to develop their own projects at LOFT.
Applications for the three residency options at the LOFT are open now. For more details, visit adt.org.au.
