RISING
Victoria’s Flagship Festival of New Art, Music and Performance
RISING, Victoria’s flagship festival of new art, music and performance, has been officially selected by Creative Australia as the national delivery partner for the Australian Dance Biennial (ADB).
Launching in 2026, the Australian Dance Biennial will be a nationally representative celebration of Australian dance, held biennially in Melbourne alongside the RISING festival. The appointment marks a major step in elevating dance within Australia’s cultural landscape, uniting artists, audiences and industry leaders from across the country.
“We are honoured to deliver this ambitious new platform for Australian dance,” said Gideon Obarzanek, Co-Artistic Director and CEO of RISING. “The Australian Dance Biennial will amplify voices from every state and territory, showcase exceptional work, and foster national and international touring opportunities.”
The Biennial will present a curated program of Australian dance works across its 2026 and 2028 editions, with representation from every state and territory. It will include a National Dance Gathering, an inclusive industry event designed to support independent artists, foster national and international dialogue, and host a dedicated BlakFutures gathering led by BlakDance.
An international delegate program will strengthen touring potential and elevate global visibility for Australian dance. Through a mix of ticketed, free and participatory events and the presence of national presenters of dance at the events, the Biennial will also support the development of new audiences fostering deeper engagement with dance across diverse communities.
With an inaugural edition set for June 2026, RISING will collaborate with a national network of advisors including major festivals, independent presenters, and dance organisations to ensure a truly representative and dynamic program.
In the coming months RISING and Creative Australia will share further details on the initiative and host an online information session.
ABOUT RISING
Taking place each winter, RISING is Victoria’s premiere festival of new art, music and performance held in the heart of Naarm/Melbourne. The establishment of the Australian Dance Biennial builds on the RISING’s reputation as a leading force in local and international contemporary dance. Previous dance highlights in RISING include works by Force Majeure, Stephanie Lake Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Marrugeku, Dance North, Lucy Guerin Inc, Restless Dance Company, Chunky Move and many more.
For more information visit their website: https://2025.rising.melbourne/program