Media Update | Artists Awarded Co3+STRUT Dance Fellowship
9 August 2023
Artists Awarded Co3+STRUT Dance Fellowship
After a rigorous process this last month Co3+STRUT Dance are pleased to announce that the following two artists have been awarded fellowships.
Laura Boynes has been awarded the $70,000 mid-career fellowship.
Georgia Van Gils has been awarded the $20,000 early career fellowship.
The Co3+STRUT Dance Fellowships are designed to facilitate a deep dive into contemporary dance practice, allowing artists to self-direct and design it in a way that provide a catalyst for the next phase in their artistic journey. With its ever-evolving nature and boundless creativity, contemporary dance requires artists to constantly push boundaries and delve into uncharted territories. The Co3+STRUT Dance Fellowships recognise this need and offer a space where artists can immerse themselves in their craft, free from external constraints to embrace their individuality and refine their artistic voice.
Recipient Laura Boynes stated, “It is an incredible honour to be the recipient of the inaugural Co3+STRUT Fellowship. The combined generosity of these two dance organisations coming together to foster the growth of independent dance in Western Australia is unprecedented. The fellowship will provide me the time and resources to delve deeper into my artistic practice, connections and collaborative partnerships whilst giving back to the Western Australian arts community. I feel deeply humbled to have been selected given the breadth and talent of dance artists in WA. My deepest gratitude to STRUT Dance and Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia for this opportunity. The fellowship will no doubt be career-defining and life-changing.”
Recipient Georgia Van Gils stated, “I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to dive deeper into the worlds building in my mind and to nurture further connection within our community.”
A joint panel of assessors from STRUT’s Artistic Advisory Group and Co3’s Artistic Advisory Panel were consulted and reviewed expressions of interest. The Co3+STRUT Dance Fellowship is gratefully funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and is a critical investment in the growth and evolution of contemporary dance practice in Western Australia. Fellowship activities will commence in October 2023 and run until September 2024 with ongoing support from Co3 and STRUT.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tracy Routledge at tracy@trpr.com.au or call 0412 223 221.
ABOUT LAURA BOYNES
Laura Boynes is an award-winning independent dance artist, performer, choreographer, educator and movement director based in Boorloo/Perth. Laura’s practice is centered on presenting social, cultural and political happenings as they intersect with individual experience. Her practice utilises the body as metaphor and as a meeting point for investigating ideas of human resilience, social responsibility, adaptability and ecological change. She uses performance as a tool to inspire critical thought and reflection on the contemporary world. She has choreographed multiple short and full-length independent works and directed large commissions for dance companies such as LINK Dance Company, Co3 Youth Ensemble, Buzz Dance Theatre and the WA Academy of Performing Arts. Her solo work Wonder Woman created with Adelina Larsson and Julie-Anne Long (2019) was nominated for four PAWA Awards and won the Australian Dance Award for Independent Dance in 2020. Her latest work Equations of a Falling Body premiered as part of the Perth Festival 2023.
www.laura-boynes.com
ABOUT GEORGIA VAN GILS
Georgia Van Gils is an Australian based movement artist who began her contemporary training at New Zealand School of Dance, graduating in 2017. Following graduation Georgia has worked with Leg’s on the Wall, The Farm, STRUT Dance, Co3 Contemporary Dance, Stephanie Lake, Catapult Dance Company, Parkin Projects, Lewis Major, and various other choreographers. Recently, Georgia performed in STRUT Dance’s Perth Moves program, a restaging of Crystal Pite’s work “10 Duets on a theme of Rescue.’ Georgia has an intense desire for collaboration and site-specific performances. Her practice seeks to foster empathy, understanding and dialogue, drawing attention to dissecting human emotions.