Keir Award Now $50k

Winner of the 2018 Keir Choreographic Award Melanie Lane. Photo by Gregory Lorenzutt
2018 KCA Winner Melanie Lane. Photo Gregory Lorenzutti

Keir Choreographic Award 2020

Applications Close July 14

Aspiring dance creators are invited to apply to the 2020 Keir Choreographic Award, now in its fifth edition. Entries opened on June 18 and will close July 14 2019 for works to be presented in March 2020

The Keir Foundation, Dancehouse, Carriageworks and Australia Council for the Arts today have announced a cash prize increase to $50,000 for the winner of the now prestigious Keir Choreographic Award (known as the KCA), as well as an all-star jury including the colossal icon of US post-modern dance, Lucinda Childs.

2016 KCA Winner Ghenoa Gela. Photo by Gregory Lorenzutti
2016 KCA Winner Ghenoa Gela. Photo Gregory Lorenzutti

In addition to the $10,000 audience choice award, in 2020 Dancehouse and Carriageworks have committed to commission two of the eight competing works to be further developed into full length works – an exciting development expanding the rewards and reach of this one-of-a-kind commissioning program.

The biennial KCA is dedicated to the commissioning of new choreographic work and promoting innovative, experimental and cross-art form practice in contemporary dance.

The 2020 KCA jury tasked with the responsibility of selecting the eight new commissions to compete in the semi-finals at Dancehouse in Melbourne, and for the finals at Carriageworks in Sydney, are:

  • PAOLA BALLA (Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara, Australia)
  • LUCINDA CHILDS (USA)
  • METTE EDVARDSEN (Norway)
  • SERGE LAURENT (France)
  • TAKAO KAWAGUCHI (Japan)

The application requirements for the Keir Choreographic Award call for professional artists with an established practice to enter by submitting a five-minute video pitch for a 20-minute choreographic work. The Keir Choreographic Award jury will assess the initial video applications and eight short-listed works will be provided with commissioning funds to realise their idea.

Finalist of the 2018 KCA Nana Biluš Abaffy. Geoffrey Watson pictured. Photo by Gregory Lorenzutti
Finalist of 2018 KCA Nana Biluš Abaffy. Geoffrey Watson pictured. Photo Gregory Lorenzutti

The eight new commissions will be presented at Dancehouse, Melbourne from 3 – 7 March 2020. Four of the works will be selected by the jury to be presented at Carriageworks, Sydney from 12 – 14 March 2020. The jury will then determine the 2020 Keir Choreographic Award recipient. The recipient of the 2020 Keir Choreographic Award will be announced along with the Audience Award on 14 March 2020.

The KCA Public Programs, with its array of national and international jury members, panellists, special guests and workshop leaders, will run concurrently with the performance seasons in both Melbourne and Sydney, providing a vital context for related and relevant discourse, reflection and debate.

Winner of the 2014 KCA Atlanta Eke. Photo Gregory Lorenzutti
2014 KCA Winner Atlanta Eke. Photo Gregory Lorenzutti

The KCA has fast become the largest generator of new choreographic works in Australia and offers rare fully-funded opportunities to develop and present new work – often resulting in further commissioning and touring, both nationally and internationally. Martin Hansen’s If it’s all in my veins has been presented in Hong Kong, Paris and Berlin since its creation in 2016. The previous Keir Choreographic Award recipients are Melbourne-based artist Atlanta Eke (2014), Sydney-based Torres Strait Islander choreographer and performer Ghenoa Gela (2016) and Javanese-Australian choreographer and performer Melanie Lane (2018).

KEIR CHOREOGRAPHIC AWARD – KEY DATES:

  • SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: 14 July 2019

  • COMMISSIONED CHOREOGRAPHERS ANNOUNCED: 1 October 2019

  • SEMI FINALS: Dancehouse, Melbourne, 3-7 March 2020

  • FINALS: Carriageworks, Sydney, 12-14 March 2020

  • To read more about the KCA and how to apply visit: dancehouse.com.au/performance/performancedetails.php?id=329

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