The Balnaves Artist in Residence at Sydney Dance Company

The Balnaves Foundation and Sydney Dance Company announce choreographer Jasmin Sheppard as the inaugural recipient of The Balnaves Foundation Artist in Residence.

The Balnaves Foundation and Sydney Dance Company are thrilled to announce The Balnaves   Foundation Artist in Residence, an exciting and invaluable new initiative for emerging choreographers to work with all departments of Sydney Dance Company on-site for one year.

Choreographer, dancer and Tagalaka Aboriginal woman, Jasmin Sheppard, has been selected as The Balnaves Foundation Artist in Residence for 2024. Jasmin was part of Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed season in 2021, creating the critically acclaimed work, Given Unto Thee, and has previously worked as a dancer with Bangarra Dance Theatre for 12 years.

This opportunity will provide Jasmin with unparalleled industry experience by exposing her to a complete artistic, production and administrative cycle within Australia’s pre-eminent contemporary dance company.

Jasmin will be able to continue her own artistic practice and development, whilst being embedded within the fast-paced Sydney Dance Company environment, providing networking opportunities, guidance and practical assistance; all facilitating her artistic growth and professional development as an emerging choreographer.

This unique Artist in Residence opportunity, made by possible by The Balnaves Foundation, will equip Jasmin with the skills, contacts and experience necessary to continue to build and develop her artistic voice.

Sydney Dance Company and The Balnaves Foundation have been supporting emerging choreographers for a decade with the New Breed season held at Carriageworks each year, and are proud to continue their commitment to the future of Australian contemporary dance through this important new initiative.

2024 The Balnaves Foundation Artist in Residence, Jasmin Sheppard:

“Thank you to The Balnaves Foundation for supporting New Breed, and now the Artist in Residence position. These opportunities are so vital for independent artists to explore what is possible for our choreographic practice.

Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela:

The Balnaves Foundation have provided such generous and invaluable support for New Breed over the past 10 years, and we are incredibly grateful that they are committed to deepening and broadening their relationship to the future of contemporary dance with this important new initiative.

I am thrilled to announce the Balnaves Foundation Artist in Residence Program today, an exciting and important new initiative for emerging choreographers to work with all departments of Sydney Dance Company on-site for one year. We look forward to Jasmin Sheppard joining us at Sydney Dance Company next year.

Victoria Balnaves of The Balnaves Foundation:

The Balnaves Foundation is delighted to be supporting this transformational position, elevating the opportunity for the alumni of New Breed choreographers to continue their association with Sydney Dance Company in a formal, long-term capacity. Sydney Dance Company is the preeminent Australian contemporary dance company, and the new Artist in Residence position offers a unique opportunity to further the growth and development of an emerging choreographer and to hone their craft within a dynamic company. We are excited by this expansion of our support for Australian choreographers and congratulate Jasmin on her appointment as the inaugural recipient of The Balnaves Foundation Artist in Residence in 2024.