The Australian Dance Awards recognise excellence and promote dance in Australia. They are awarded under the auspices of the Australian Dance Council (Ausdance) for performance, choreography, design, dance writing, teaching and related professions. They especially recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian dance.
History The awards have their origin in the informal community Dancers' Picnic founded by Keith Bain first held in 1986 on or close to International Dance Day.Australian Dance Awards, The (1997 – ) at Australia Dancing
In 1997, Ausdance NSW with support from the City of Sydney and The Australian Ballet, presented the inaugural Australian Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House. Over time, the Awards have evolved into a major industry event. For three years from 2008, the Awards were held in Melbourne and produced by Ausdance Victoria with support from the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust and The Australian Ballet.
From 2011 until 2017 the location varied, as the awards were held by tender among the state-based organisations of the Ausdance network. In 2018 Ausdance National hosted the event at the Brisbane Powerhouse in Brisbane, Queensland, and owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the event was held online by the national body in 2020, covering the years 2018 and 2019.
In 2022 the board of Ausdance National announced that the awards were under review and on hold.
2019 Awards not held.
2018 Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2018 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Saturday 8 September at Brisbane Powerhouse. AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime Achievement AwardAthol Willoughby OAMHall of FameNo inducteesServices to DanceHilary TrotterServices to Dance EducationKatrina RankOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyStephanie LakePile of BonesStephanie Lake CompanyOutstanding Achievement in Youth DanceCo3Project NEXTOutstanding Achievement in Community DanceTracks DanceMan MadeOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue HealeyEileenOutstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical TheatreGravity & Other MythsBACKBONEOutstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Martin del Amo CHAMPIONSOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerJana CastilloconstructOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerBeau Dean Riley SmithBennelong (2017)Bangarra Dance TheatreOutstanding Performance by a CompanyDancenorthAttractor
2017 Presented by Ausdance Victoria, Harlequin Floors and Ausdance National, the 2017 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Sunday 24 September at Arts Centre Melbourne. AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime Achievement AwardHelen HerbertsonAustralian Dance Awards: Lifetime achievement award at Australian Dance Awards websiteHall of FameNoel Tovey AMServices to DanceJennifer IrwinServices to Dance EducationKim WalkerOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyLucy GuerinThe Dark ChorusLucy Guerin Inc.Outstanding Achievement in Youth DanceCatapult Dance, The Flipside ProjectIn Search of the Lost ThingsOutstanding Achievement in Community Dance Liz Lea & collaboratorsGreat Sport!with Canberra Dance Theatre, the National Museum of Australia, the GOLD company, Dance for Parkinson's ACT and KAGEOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaThe Samaya WivesThe Knowledge Between UsOutstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical TheatreJack ChambersSingin' in the RainTEG Dainty, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises & Michael Cassel GroupOutstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Liesel Zink The StanceOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerAko KondoCoppéliaThe Australian BalletOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerBenjamin HancockThe Dark ChorusLucy Guerin IncOutstanding Performance by a CompanyBangarra Dance TheatreOUR Land People Stories
2016 Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2016 Australian Dance Awards were held at The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, on Sunday 18 September at 6.30 pm as part of the MoveMe Festival 2016. AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime Achievement AwardTerri CharlesworthServices to DanceRoy David PageServices to Dance EducationDr Joan Pope OAMOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyLucy GuerinMotion PictureLucy Guerin Inc.Outstanding Achievement in Youth DanceForce Majeure & Powerhouse Youth TheatreJump First, Ask LaterOutstanding Achievement in Community Dance DancenorthTwilightCheryl StockOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaMeryl TankardMichelle’s StoryOutstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical TheatreCirca Contemporary CircusIl RitornoOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceSue HealeyOn View: Live PortraitsOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerElma KrisLoreBangarra Dance TheatreOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerDavid MackFrame of MindBangarra Dance TheatreOutstanding Performance by a CompanyBangarra Dance TheatreLore
2015 The 2015 Australian Dance Awards were presented by Ausdance National at Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide on Saturday 12 September 2015. AwardRecipientWorkNotesOutstanding Achievement in Youth DanceSTEPS Youth Dance CompanyFights & FlightsOutstanding Achievement in Community DanceTracks Dance CompanyMilpirri (Jarda–Warnpa)Services to Dance EducationTanya Pearson OAMOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyNarelle BenjaminHiding in Plain SightHall of FameMarilyn Jones and Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAMOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaClaire MarshallWard of StateOutstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical TheatreGravity & Other MythsA Simple SpaceServices to DanceJeff BusbyOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceTorque Show and Michelle Ryan with Lavender vs RoseIntimacyLifetime Achievement AwardMarilyn Rowe OBEOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerLucinda Dunn OAMManonThe Australian BalletOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerWaangenga BlancoPatyegarangBangarra Dance TheatreOutstanding Performance by a CompanyQueensland BalletRomeo & Juliet
2014 The 2014 Australian Dance Awards. Held in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House, 9 November 2014. Hosted by Francis Rings and Kip Gamblin. AwardRecipientWorkNotesOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceBuzz Dance TheatreLook The Other WayServices to Dance EducationJanet Karin OAMOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyStephanie LakeAortaHall of FameGailene Stock AM CBEOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue HealeyOn ViewServices to DanceAnnie GriegOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceDalia PigramGudirr GudirrLifetime Achievement AwardLeigh WarrenOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerLeanne StoymenovCinderellaThe Australian BalletOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerJame Vu Anh PhamAortaChoreographed by Stephanie LakeOutstanding Performance by a CompanyThe Australian BalletCinderella
2013 The 2013 Australian Dance Awards. Held at The Playhouse of the Canberra Theatre Centre, 6 August 2013. Hosted by Andrea Close. AwardRecipientWorkNotesOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceTracks Dance CompanyEight to Eighty—Architecture of AgeServices to Dance EducationJackie HallahanOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyRafael Bonachela2 One AnotherSydney Dance CompanyPeggy Van Praagh Choreographic FellowshipKay ArmstrongOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue HealeyVirtuosiServices to DanceShane CarrollOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceAntony HamiltonBlack Project 1Lifetime Achievement AwardRonne ArnoldOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerCharmene Yap2 One AnotherSydney Dance CompanyOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerKimball WongProximityAustralian Dance TheatreOutstanding Performance by a CompanySydney Dance Company2 One Another
2012 The 2012 Australian Dance Awards. Held at Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth. Hosted by Verity James. Winners were: AwardRecipientWorkNotesOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceShaun Parker and CompanyCaptivateServices to Dance EducationSarah CalverOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyNatalie WeirR & JExpressions Dance CompanyPeggy Van Praagh Choreographic FellowshipStephanie LakeOutstanding Achievement in Dance on Film / New MediaBryan Mason & Sophie HydeLife in MovementServices to DanceLucinda SharpOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceBarry Moreland & Daryl BrandwoodHELIXLifetime Achievement AwardNanette HassellOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerElise MayR & JExpressions Dance CompanyOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerDaryl BrandwoodHELIXOutstanding Performance by a CompanyBangarra Dance TheatreBelong
2011 The 2011 Australian Dance Awards. Held at QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane. Hosted by Fenella Kernebone. Winners were:
AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime Achievement AwardRobina Beard Services to Dance EducationValda CraigOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceQL2 DanceHard YardsOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyRafael Bonachela6 BreathsSydney Dance CompanyOutstanding Performance by a CompanyExpressions Dance CompanyWhere the Heart IsOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceNarelle BenjaminIn GlassOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerAmy HollingsworthIrony of FateSydney Dance CompanyOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerDaniel GaudielloCoppeliaThe Australian BalletOutstanding Performance in a Stage MusicalAlinta ChidzeyWest Side StoryHall of FameKeith Bain OAMAward for Services to DanceRuth OsborneArtistic Director – QL2 Dance (Canberra)
2010 The 2010 Australian Dance Awards. Hosted by Neil Pigot.Neil Pigot to host the Australian Dance Awards, Australian Stage, 10 June 2010 15:22 Held at Melbourne's Arts Centre, State Theatre. Winners were:2010 Australian Dance Award Winners Announced, Australian Stage, Monday, 21 June 2010 10:14
AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime Achievement AwardBill Akers AMServices to DanceStephen PageServices to Dance EducationMaggi PhillipsOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceRestless Dance TheatreHard YardsOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyMeryl Tankard & Paul WhiteThe OracleOutstanding Performance by a CompanyBangarra Dance TheatreFire – A RetrospectiveOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceSue PeacockQuestions Without NoticeOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerLana JonesFirebirdThe Australian BalletOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerPaul WhiteThe OracleOutstanding Performance in a Stage MusicalCaroline O'ConnorChicago
2009 The 2009 Australian Dance Awards winners were:2009 Australian Dance Awards winners announced Australian Stage, Monday, 8 June 2009Bittersweet dance awards remember lost friend, 8 June 2009, Sydney Morning Herald
AwardRecipientWorkNotesLifetime AchievementLucette AldousOutstanding Achievement in Dance EducationJeff MeinersOutstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceTracks IncSTRUCKAwarded for the first time in 20092009 Australian Dance Awards Winners, (Tuesday, 9 June 2009), ArtsHubOutstanding Performance in a Stage MusicalNick Twiney, Rarmian Newton, Rhys Kosakowski, Lochlan Denholm, Joshua Waiss Gates, Dayton Tavares, Joshua Denyer & Michael DameskiBilly Elliot The MusicalOutstanding Performance by a CompanyForce Majeure The Age I'm InOutstanding Achievement in Independent DanceTanja Liedtke (posthumous)constructOutstanding Performance by a Female DancerKristina Chanconstructchoreographed by Tanja LiedtkeOutstanding Performance by a Male DancerReed LuplauSid's Waltzing MasqueradeSydney Dance CompanyOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyTanja Liedtke (posthumous)constructAward for Dance on FilmChris SchererIf The Shoe FitsAward for Services to DanceLee ChristofisA former dance critic and now curator of dance at the National Library of Australia
2008