Australia's dance community finally has its moment. The Australian Dance Biennial is launching in 2026 as a nationally representative celebration of dance culture.
RISING presents the Australian Dance Biennial every two years starting in 2026, bringing together artists, audiences and industry leaders from across Australia. The Australian Dance Biennial will feature dance works with representation from every state and the Northern Territory across the 2026 and 2028 editions, positioning Melbourne as the national hub for kinetic expression.
The biennial includes a nationally curated program of tour-ready works alongside a Studio Series where artists can present excerpts in intimate settings. A two-day Dance Summit runs parallel to performances, featuring industry dialogue and a Blak Futures gathering led by BlakDance and ADT to amplify First Nations voices in dance.
Australian Dance Biennial
- 3-8 June 2026
- Various venues across Melbourne CBD
- Part of RISING festival 27 May-8 June 2026
- Studio Series expressions of interest: 8-28 September 2025
- Delegate program connecting artists with national and international presenters
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
RISING collaborates with a national advisory network including state festival directors and dance organisations to create the program. The biennial serves as a marketplace for Australian dance, enabling delegates to identify works suitable for national and international touring while strengthening professional pathways for local artists.
Venues under consideration include University of Melbourne, Malthouse Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Arts House, Chunky Move Studios, Dancehouse and The Substation. The program will be dispersed across Melbourne to accommodate the scale while maintaining RISING’s CBD focus.
The Australian Dance Biennial aims to showcase the breadth of Australian dance practice while creating opportunities for collaboration, commissions and long-term partnerships between artists and presenters. Studio Series expressions of interest open 8 September with artist notifications beginning 13 October.
For more information, head here.
