Expressions Dance Company becomes Australian Dance Collective
Brisbane’s Contemporary Dance Company has unveiled its new name and vision as it launches into a new 2020 season.
After 35 years as Expressions Dance Company, the Brisbane-based ensemble will now be known as Australian Dance Collective.
With collaboration and artistic excellence at its core, Australian Dance Collective Chair, Marian Gibney, said the name change was part of the evolution of the company, aligning its history and vision.
“The board is incredibly proud of what the company has achieved under the guiding vision of original artistic director, Maggi Sietsma, and, in the recent decade, Natalie Weir. We have been leaders in investing in dance education and development, and renowned for our commitment to collaboration with a wide range of artists in the production of high quality dance works,” Gibney said.
“These hallmarks of the company will continue to be at the centre of its work under the leadership of new artistic director, Amy Hollingsworth. Amy is a passionate curator, with a clear vision around harnessing shared energies and imaginations to produce thrilling dance works and to nurturing a love of dance in our community.
“With Amy’s appointment, and as we enter a new decade, the board believes that the time is right to refresh the company’s name, to ensure that it speaks clearly of what has been achieved and what the company seeks to do in the future.”
Unveiling the new name at the company’s season launch at QPAC last night, Artistic Director, Amy Hollingsworth, said Australian Dance Collective was committed to being “collectively extraordinary”.
“Working collectively gives us like-minded individuals and visionaries to debate with, ensuring our ideas are robust and that our collaborations crackle with artistic energy. I dream of creating an environment that generates exhilarating dance to capture the imaginations of many,” Hollingsworth said.
“2020 sees us embody this vision of collective excellence – through showcasing a diverse range of Australian artists, exposure to international industry leaders and innovative collaborations. We want to help our audiences feel differently about dance, shifting perceptions of what contemporary dance is and does.”
Founding artistic director, Maggi Sietsma said the company had always been a collaborative endeavour and welcomed the evolution to Australian Dance Collective.
“Thirty five years ago, Abel (Valls) and I dreamt of establishing a company of like-minded creative artists, dancers, musicians, choreographers, lighting designers, poets, set designers, collaborators of all kinds. That dream grew from a germ of an idea into Expressions Dance Company,” Sietsma said.
“Today, what was Expressions Dance Company, then EDC, will continue the dream under the new name Australian Dance Collective. Together they will foster new links, test new creative boundaries and bring joy to countless thousands who get to experience this new chapter of the company’s evolution.”
Former artistic director, Natalie Weir, also embraced the new era for the company.
“Contemporary dance has to evolve, it has to change and that’s a really, really healthy thing,” she said. “It feels like the perfect time for a name change.”
“I think the new name Australian Dance Collective is beautiful and the idea of being ‘collectively extraordinary’ is a fantastic vision for the future of the company.
For more information on Australian Dance Collective, visit their website.
Press Release supplied by Australian Dance Collective (ADC).
