Tickets on sale - 2026 Youth Dance Festival!

Step into The Metaverse with Ausdance ACT's 2026 Youth Dance Festival!

For more than 40 years, YDF has celebrated the creativity, energy and voices of young dancers across Canberra. This year they will explore a world where the boundaries between reality and the digital universe have blurred, and technology, gaming, social media, and virtual connection are transforming the way we move, communicate and experience life.

Join our team led by Creative Director Cathy Adamek for an exciting mix of non-competitive, co-creative, inclusive live performance from students from across the region.

Experience what it means to live, learn and connect in The Metaverse!

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Ausdance announces fellowship recipients

Ausdance is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship and the 2026 Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship — two national awards providing $20,000 in direct support for choreographic research, development, travel and artistic growth.

This year’s fellows were selected through a highly competitive national process, reflecting the depth of choreographic skill and ambition across Australia. The 2026 selected artists differ in approach yet share an alignment with dance as a force of personal and collective healing and connection.

*Xin Ong (WA) — Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship
*Chung Nguyen (VIC) — Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship

These fellowships honour the legacies of Dame Peggy van Praagh and Keith Bain OAM, whose bequests recognise the importance of targeted, artist‑centred investment in sustaining Australian dance. Ausdance congratulates Xin and Chung and acknowledges the exceptional calibre of applications received nationally.

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2026 Youth Dance Festival – Work Experience Opportunity

Looking for a hands‑on, behind‑the‑scenes adventure in live theatre? Our Youth Dance Festival Work Experience (WEX) Program is back — and we’re inviting motivated, reliable Year 10–12 students (aged 16+) to join the backstage crew this October at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre.

Students get a unique, first‑hand experience working on a major theatrical event, learning how a large‑scale show comes together and observing key theatre departments like lighting, sound, crewing, stage management, and marketing. Many past WEX participants have gone on to build successful careers in the performing arts, with this program often becoming their first step into the industry.

If you would like to apply — or if you know a student who’d love to be involved — please use the link below. Limited positions are available, so get in early.

Apply Here

Philip Piggin - Ausdance Honorary Life Membership

At this year’s Annual General Meeting, Ausdance ACT was proud to recognise Philip Piggin with Honorary Life Membership, acknowledging his extraordinary and long‑standing contribution to Ausdance and to the Australian dance sector.

Philip Piggin has shaped Australian dance for more than four decades, contributing profoundly to community practice, sector development and Ausdance’s national advocacy. Trained in Australia, the UK and New York, he worked internationally before returning home to build a diverse career across performance, education, community dance and leadership.

Please join us in congratulating Philip and welcoming him as our newest Honorary Life Member!

Dance Artists in Schools Program - book your visit!

We specialise in sourcing diverse dance experiences for your students to extend their practice and cultural knowledge.

Let us do the work for you! Here is what is included:

~ Teachers share their vast knowledge in dance, from technique to choreography and cultural awareness in the workshop or class format of your choice.

~ A wide range of genres is available including Cultural Dance (Afro/Indian Classical/Bollywood), Street Dance, Creative Dance, and more. If you have something specific in mind, just ask us!

~ We coordinate all booking, invoicing and travel requirements.

~ Provision of professional, qualified and experienced teaching practitioners.

~ WWVP checks.

~ Risk assessments.