We’re delighted to announce Wiradjuri woman Amy Flannery as our First Nations Resident for 2026.
Amy Flannery is a versatile First Nations Australian choreographer, creator, performer, and sound artist. A NAISDA Dance College graduate, Amy has worked closely with Vicki Van Hout and Lost All Sorts Collective, while also dancing, choreographing, and composing for leading companies like Bangarra Dance Theatre, Dance Makers Collective, and Jannawi Dance Clan. Amy was awarded Bangarra’s prestigious 2022 David Page Music Fellowship.
In addition to Amy’s choreographic and dance credentials, her sound design highlights include dual roles in Bulnuruwanha at the Sydney Opera House and acting as associate sound artist for Sydney Theatre Company’s The Visitors. In 2024, Amy composed for Kulka in Bangarra’s national tour, Horizon, and collaborated internationally through the Rapport exchange program. She recently created the electrifying soundscape for Emma Harrison’s High Octane at Campbelltown Arts Centre, and is about to embark on a National Tour with Dance Makers Collective.
The LGI First Nations Residency provides a nationally connected creative development platform for First Nations contemporary dance artists to undertake artistic research, develop new work and strengthen long-term practice through dedicated studio time – at Carriageworks in Sydney and WXYZ Studios, LGI’s home in North Melbourne – as well as producing support and cross-organisational opportunities.
About the LGI First Nations Residency
The Residency grew from a longstanding relationship between Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) and BlakDance. Lucy Guerin’s sustained commitment to First Nations artists, together with BlakDance’s national sector leadership and cultural governance framework, created the conditions for a partnership that has continued to evolve over time. Following LGI’s participation in BlakDance’s Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Audit, the organisations worked together to develop a residency model that embedded this commitment into ongoing organisational practice.
Established in 2021, the Residency grew from a longstanding relationship between Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) and BlakDance. Lucy Guerin’s sustained commitment to First Nations artists, together with BlakDance’s national sector leadership and cultural governance framework, created the conditions for a partnership that has continued to evolve over time. Following LGI’s participation in BlakDance’s Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Audit, the organisations worked together to develop a residency model that embedded this commitment into ongoing organisational practice. Carriageworks joined the partnership in 2022, further strengthening its national reach. The partnership reflects the organisations’ shared goal to support First Nations artists and redress the historical lack of support in non-Indigenous organisations for First Nations dance artists.
Having established a strong foundation supporting Senior artists, the partners have this year expanded the Residency to include emerging practitioners, creating a stronger continuum of support across different career stages and strengthening the future ecology of First Nations contemporary dance. Working across WXYZ Studios, Carriageworks and BlakDance’s national network, the Residency connects artists with creative communities across multiple states, while supporting nationally significant artistic development.
This opportunity is designed to both celebrate and support First Nations dance makers, by providing a space for the development of new work and ongoing research into their artistic practice. The program is an important part of LGI’s efforts to improve representation, opportunities, and career pathways for First Nations artists in contemporary dance. Guided by the principles of artistic self-determination, the Residency will continue to evolve as a nationally significant partnership that invests in First Nations artistic leadership, creative excellence and the future of contemporary dance in Australia.
Previous Residents include Jacob Boehme, Peta Strachan, Rachael Wallis, Nathan Leslie and Vicki Van Hout. The program will continue to develop with artistic self-determination at its core.
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Acknowledgments
This program is made possible by WXYZ Studios and the support of our philanthropic partners, the Angior Family Foundation and Eirene Lucas Foundation.
Lucy Guerin Inc is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body; by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; and by the City of Melbourne.
BlakDance is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Carriageworks is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
