Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area dance teams are invited to submit applications for funding to perform at the 2019 Darwin Festival and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), from 9-11 August 2019.

This opportunity has been made available through the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Dance Strategy. This initiative is delivered through the TSRA Culture, Art and Heritage Programme to support the development and promotion of Torres Strait dance.

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) brings together over 70 Indigenous owned and operated Art Centres and showcases the incredible work of over 2,000 Torres Strait and Aboriginal artists. Held on Larrakia Country, hundreds of art buyers, artists and visitors attend the festival to learn more about Indigenous culture.

The DAAF is hosted amidst the 2019 Darwin Festival (8-21 August), an 18-day celebration of music, theatre, art and dance hosted in the heart of Darwin. The successful dance team will also have an opportunity to perform at this vibrant festival to showcase Torres Strait dance.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen, said the TSRA’s Culture, Art and Heritage Programme was working closely with event coordinators to present these valuable and positive experiences.

“The Festival and Fair attract thousands of visitors to the Northern Territory, showcasing a spectacular diversity of work and a vibrant and immersive public program,” Mr Stephen said.

“They are a wonderful opportunity to connect visitors with the art and culture of our region”.

The successful dance team in the 2019 Dance Strategy will receive funding to cover the cost of travelling to Darwin to perform and, while previous experience is favourable, newcomers should not be discouraged.

“Since 2011, the TSRA has supported dance teams through the Dance Strategy initiative to extend their experience at major national and international events, including the Yirramboi Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival, WOMADelaide, and the Henley Festival in the United Kingdom”, Mr Stephen said.

Applications close 4pm, Friday 3rd May 2019.

For more information about the TSRA’s Dance Strategy, or to obtain an application forms contact the TSRA A/g Cultural Development Officer, Amanda Manuel, on 07 4069 0700 or CAHteam@tsra.gov.au

Pictured: Eip Karem Beizam at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2018. Photo courtesy DAAF