Boral cements three-year partnership extension with Bangarra
Leading building products supplier agrees to bring world-class indigenous performances to regional communities, as it continues its 15-year sponsorship arrangement with Bangarra, writes Claire Joyce.
Bangarra Dance Theatre has secured a new three-year agreement with major sponsor Boral that ensures delivery of world-class Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance experiences in regional and remote centres across Australia.
Under the agreement, the building products supplier will become Bangarra’s Regional Touring Partner, supporting the theatre company’s extensive annual regional tour program from 2018 to 2020.
The sponsorship means regional audiences will be able enjoy indigenous cultural performances of the same scale and calibre as their capital city counterparts experience in iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House or Arts Centre Melbourne.
The latest agreement adds another chapter to the long-standing partnership between Boral and Bangarra that was originally forged in 2003, with the two organisations crediting the strength of the ongoing arrangement to their shared values.
Since 2012, Boral has also supported Bangarra’s Indigenous Employment Program to develop professional and sustainable careers in on-stage and behind the scenes roles, including contributing to the employment of trainee dancers under the Russell Page Graduate Program.
Boral communications and investor relations director Kylie Fitzgerald said the sponsorship builds on the company’s commitment to further understanding of Australia’s indigenous history and traditions through respectful and sensitive development of places and culture.
“We have partnered with Bangarra since 2003 as part of our broader community investment program that seeks to make a valued and sustainable contribution to the wellbeing of the communities in which we operate,” she said.
Bangarra Dance Theatre executive director Philippe Magid said the company was proud to extend its 15-year relationship with Boral, as it looks ahead to a huge year of activity to celebrate its significant 30th anniversary in 2019.
“We are delighted to work with Boral to further expand our touring footprint and ensure audiences outside of capital cities have the opportunity to experience Bangarra and access inspirational workshops with our dancers in their community,” he said.
“This long-standing partnership is of great value to both organisations and reflects our shared respect and bond with the land across Australia.”
Bangarra is currently on the back-end of its 2018 regional tour of OUR land people stories through New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, having performed to more than 4,800 people across five cities, ahead of final stops in Mackay (3 March) and Alice Springs (9-10 March).
Bangarra Dance Theatre, founded in 1989, is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation and one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, widely acclaimed nationally and around the world for its powerful dancing, distinctive theatrical voice and unique soundscapes, music and design.
This article first appeared in Generosity Mag