Dance Aotearoa New Zealand has announced two new dance residencies in October and November of this year.

DNAZ will offer the Maori Dance Residency in partnership with Lakes Performing Arts Company in Rotorua, and a new DANZ Dance Residency in partnership with The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora in Christchurch.

'DANZ is excited to be able to deliver these residencies in the provincial centres for the first time, and to be offering valuable platforms for artists to explore and expand their choreographic expression,” says DANZ executive director Sheryl Lowe.

As the national service organisation for the dance in Aotearoa, DANZ works to develop and deliver professional and creative development opportunities for artists. Residences in particular are highly values by artists, and play an integral part in supporting and growing a resilient dance sector in Aotearoa.

'These projects fill a vital gap and respond to a need for more dance development platforms for independent dance artists. We have seen the direct and positive impact of residencies on the professional growth of past recipients, all of whom have utilised them to develop their choreographic practice and gone on to produce stunning and highly acclaimed work,” says Sheryl.

DANZ will partner with local Rotorua dance studio LPAC to deliver the Maori Dance Residency, support by the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. As a hub for Maori arts and culture, Rotorua was an obvious choice to host the residency, which will be held at the LPAC studios from October 21 – November 1 2019.

Te Kanikani Whakamatau aims to expand the choreographic expression of Maori dance artists in Aotearoa reflecting their artistic vision in the 21^st century. The successful artist will have access to rehearsal space at LPAC, the opportunity to work with additional dancers and access to a dance mentor throughout the two week period.

At the end of the residency, the artist will present what they've generated in the form of a public showing and/or discussion.

'LPAC is thrilled to be supporting DANZ with the upcoming Māori Dance Residency as a venue sponsor. As a local dance organisation, we are very excited to see DANZ's plan to bring Te Kanikani Whakamātau to Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region,” says LPAC director Rebecca Brake.

'This project will be very important for the support and growth of dance in Rotorua as it creates another accessible opportunity for our community to enjoy the extensive benefits of dance, and provide platforms that will expand opportunities for practitioners to develop their craft and outreach”.

DANZ will also work with Te Puia, home of the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute who will provide the venue for a community event/public showing arising out of the residency.

'Encompassing the movement forms of tangata whenua is an important part of our programme. Te Puia is a major sponsor of the bi-annual Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival, and we welcome this opportunity to work with DANZ to support dance in another way,” says Te Puia CEO Tim Cossar.

'We can see the potential of this to enhance our existing programme of cultural performances to provide audiences with enriching and entertaining experiences of our fascinating culture.”

DANZ invites applications from dance artists of all backgrounds. Interested artists can find out more about each residency on the DANZ website.

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