Wellesley Studios (Auckland) and Dancehouse (Melbourne) are delighted to announce the return of the Trans-Tasman Dance Exchange Residency for 2026.

This recent addition to our residency programme reflects a shared ambition to foster exchange and collaboration between independent dance artists in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Australia between 2025 and 2027. The triennial partnership, funded by Creative New Zealand, Wellesley Studios and Dancehouse, sees each organisation host an international artist from the other country for a 2-week residency. Dancehouse will host an artist from New Zealand, and Wellesley studios will host an artist from Australia.

The New Zealand artist is offered:

• Up to 2-weeks of studio space at the Dancehouse host venue
• 2-weeks stipend of NZD $1,400 per week
• 2 weeks of per diems @ NZD $500 per week
• NZD $700 contribution to flights
• NZD $250 for airport transfers
• Up to NZD $2,000 accommodation allowance

The Australian artist is offered:

• Up to 2-weeks of studio space at the Wellesley Studios host venue
• 2-weeks stipend of AUD $1,300 p/w
• 2-weeks of per diems AUD $467.22 p/w
• 1 x return international flight between Auckland and Melbourne
• Accommodation for 2-weeks when on residence
• Free attendance at Independance classes
• Airport transfers

The timing of the residency is proposed by the artist based on availability and connection opportunities.

In addition to the active studio-based full-time residency, artists are welcome to leverage residency opportunities with local engagements, activities, projects, presentations, performances or collaborations in each city.
The successful artists will be required to offer a workshop, masterclass or exchange opportunity for local artists as part of their residency, and to offer a sharing or showing at the end of the residency to invited guests.

Expressions of Interest open Monday 8^th September 2025, and close 11.59pm (Melbourne time) Friday 10^th October 2025. Applicants will be advised of the outcome by Friday 7^th November 2026.

For more information about eligibility requirements, application details, and specific residency information, visit the residency page on our website HERE.

You may also contact Shona McCullagh, Creative Producer – Residencies with any queries at shona@humangarden.co.nz

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS HERE

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Dancehouse (Naarm / Melbourne) is Australia’s only presenting and producing house dedicated solely to the year-round presentation of dance by and with independent dance artists and communities. Dancehouse represents a diversity of visions, practices, and generations committed to the expression, development and celebration of dance artists, and the artform itself.

Wellesley Studios Dance House (Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland)  is a purpose-built facility supporting the creativity and growth of Aotearoa’s dance and performing arts community. Located in the heart of Auckland’s theatre district, Wellesley Studios is a hub for connection and innovation, providing an inclusive environment where artists can train, collaborate and push boundaries.

ELIGIBILITY NOTES

• The opportunity is open to practicing independent choreographers with a strong track-record of dance projects and works.
• All dance artists, forms, and practices are welcome.
• This opportunity is available for both Australian and New Zealand residents. Artists must be resident in their “home” country for at least 1 year before applying for the respective international residency.
• Multiple artists may apply for the residencies but there is only financial provision for ONE artist per residency — please outline how you will support, share, or leverage other resources or opportunities to make the residency viable.
• Please note that there is no provision for additional travel i.e. domestic/ internal flights for artists outside of Auckland and Melbourne.
• The residency must be fully undertaken in the 2026 calendar year.
• Local collaboration or engagement with artists, communities and/ or audiences when on residence is encouraged.
• Artists are welcome to leverage the residency opportunity i.e. by building the residency into an existing tour or project, presentation opportunity, or timing the residency with local events, festivals or contexts.
• Residencies are not necessarily project or outcomes focused but artists with a clear rationale, purpose, and approach to local collaboration, engagement, leverage or opportunity around their residency will be prioritised.
• Residencies for 2026 will be available from February onwards.

SELECTION PROCESS

The partners: Dancehouse and Wellesley Studios, will review and appraise all applications with the advice of independent Australian and New Zealand artistic advisors.

The application form and process is the same for both New Zealand artists applying for the Dancehouse residency, and Australian artists applying for the Wellesley Studios residency.

Applicants may be invited to a short online zoom/ phone conversation for the partners to hear more about the proposal, and to discuss pertinent availability and logistics before a decision is reached.

The Residencies will go to the artists who best evidence:

• A generous, collaborative, and exciting choreographic practice and project;
• A specific, timely, and exciting residency proposal;
• An exciting potential opportunity for them and the local artists, communities, and/ or audiences; and
• Be viable with strong potential to further networks, connections, collaborations and exchange between Australia and New Zealand in the future.
   

KEY DATES

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN / Monday 8^th September 2025
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSE / 11.59 pm (Melbourne time) Friday 10^th October 2025
OUTCOMES ADVISED BY / 7^th November 2025
RESIDENCIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN / Throughout 2026

QUESTIONS?

Josh Wright, CEO/Artistic Director, Dancehouse
director@dancehouse.com.au           +61 3 9347 2860

Shona McCullagh, Creative Producer – Residencies, Wellesley Studios
shona@humangarden.co.nz             + 64 27 277 9326

NGĀ KAITAUTOKO

The Trans-Tasman Dance Exchange Residency is made possible by funding from Creative New Zealand, Dancehouse Melbourne and Wellesley Studios.

Image above: The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave by Oli Mathiesen NZ, W.S. Residency alumni, for Performance Space’s Liveworks Festival 2025, at Carriageworks. Image by Lucy Parakhina