Dance Forums

Indigenous Traditional Dance (ITD) Project

Overview

The ITD project follows from the Indigenous Performing Arts Brokerage Project (IPAB) which gave intensive support to two Aboriginal dance groups from Central Australia. In the IPAB (June 2006 – Dec 2006) there were 6 funded and supported Dance events including: Desert Mob Dancesite, Desart in the Park, Desert Knowledge Symposium, Wurrpurrjinta Cultural Exchange, Day of Difference fund raiser and the tour to the World Deserts Foundations International Festival of Desert People and Cultures in Algeria.

From 2007 onwards, Artback NT, with support from Arts NT and the Australia Council for the Arts has worked to conduct research and consultation with Aboriginal art centres and dance groups throughout Central Australia. This has lead to strategic documentation and planning to promote a coordinated approach to cultural maintenance, traditional dance activities and performance opportunities for Aboriginal traditional dance groups across the tri-state border region of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

The purpose of the ITD project is to promote cultural maintenance and exchange in relation to traditional dance. These exchanges encourage art centres and dance groups to invite neighboring communities and language groups to come together to share their knowledge and understanding of traditional dance practices from their regions. The ITD project provides community cultural development support, facilitates and organises performance opportunities and provides links and information sharing between Indigenous traditional dance projects, communities and contemporary dance and theatre initiatives.

ITDP 2007-09 funding was through the Northern Territory Government Arts NT Building Strong Arts Business Program.

Funding for the 2010-11 program has been provided by the Aboriginal Benefit Account (FaHCSIA) , with forums held in the following regional and remote communities: Ali Curung (NT); Alice Springs (NT); Warakurna (WA); Elliot (NT); Tennant Creek (NT); and Epenarra (NT).

During this time Artback NT has worked in close partnership with many organisations to develop and deliver the ITDP, including:

> Desart, Akeyulerre Healing Centre, Tjanpi Desert Weavers and the Alice Springs Desert Festival in the Central desert Region;

> Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre, Tennant Creek Desert Harmony Festival, Barkly Regional Arts, World Vision, Barkly Shire Council and Dept Corrections Local Work Camps in the Barkly region.

Dance Forums for 2012 are currently being scheduled and will be confirmed in March 2012.

2009 DanceSite Photos by Rusty Stewart

Dance Forums 2010-11

Forums in 2010 and 2011 were held in the following regional and remote communities:

Iwantja, South Australia

Amata, South Australia

Santa Teresa, Northern Territory

Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Epenarra, Northern Territory

Elliot, Northern Territory

Tennant Creek , Northern Territory

Ti-Tree Nturiya, Northern Territory