ORBIT 2026 - Expression of Interest

Key Dates:

  • EOIs Open: 10am Monday 2 February 2026
  • Applicant Information Sessions: 4 and 18 March 2026
  • EOIs Close: 11:59pm Tuesday 24 March 2026
  • Panel Decisions: Late April - Early May 2026
  • Artist Notifications and Contracting: Mid to late May 2026
  • Remount & Tour Dates: 19 October - 22 November 2026

If you have any questions about your application, please contact the ORBIT producer, Michael Sieders via email: michaels@sydneydancecompany.com.

Section 1 - Applicant Details

Section 2 - Work Details

Please include the Choreographer / Lead Artist, if they are not performing in the work.

Section 3 - Artistic Materials

Please use the ORBIT selection criteria as a reference when describing your work.

Provide link to 2 - 5 files, jpg / png

Full-length video of original performance - URL link

Short excerpt / trailer (max 5 - 10 mins URL link) or timecode to watch a compelling 5 minute excerpt from full length work.

Section 4 - Technical Requirements

Provide link to : PDF / DOC

Section 5 - First Nations Work

The ORBIT core partners are committed to ensuring First Nations voices and stories are part of the program, with at least one (1) First Nations–led work included. We warmly encourage First Nations artists to submit an EOI.

If your work draws on Cultural or First Nations knowledge and stories, please answer the following (optional if not applicable):

Are you a First Nations artist or First Nations-Led collective?

Does your work draw on First Nations cultural knowledge, stories or practices?

Section 6 - Eligibility Checklist

Please confirm that your work meets the following eligibility requirements.

I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and my proposed touring party members all have the right to work in Australia.*

The work has had at least one professional public presentation prior to 24 March 2026.*

The work is a full-length work and a minimum of 35 minutes in duration.*

The touring party does not exceed 5 members (including the lead artist / choreographer).*

My core artists/collaborators are aware that I am submitting this application.*

The work is adaptable to the three core venues (Dancehouse Melbourne, Sydney Dance Company Neilson Studio, Australian Dance Theatre The Odeon, Adelaide).*

I can supply original production elements (costumes, set, music, etc.).*

My creative team and touring party are available for the full tour and remount period (19 Oct to 22 Nov 2026).*

I am an artist based in one of the core partner states of NSW, VIC and SA (Non-First Nations artists only).*

Section 7 - Additional Support Materials (Optional)

(Provide URL Link to PDF, DOC.)

Section 8 - Statistical Information (Required)

ORBIT is a pilot program. These questions will help us understand who is applying, the challenges faced by artists around touring, will support sector wide reporting and assist in securing ongoing funding for ORBIT to continue beyond its pilot year.

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

Please be aware that there are 38 quick to answer questions in this section, this section should only take between 5 - 10 minutes to answer, your answers do not affect your assessment.

A. Applicant Profile

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

1. Are you applying as:*

2. How do you describe your gender?*

3. Do you identify as any of the following?*

Select any / all that apply.

4. What is your age group?*

5. How would you describe your current career stage?*

B. Professional Practice

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

6. What is your primary artistic practice?*

7. How many years have you been working in the arts?*

8. In the past 5 years How often do you collaborate with other independent artists or small collectives (excluding dancers in your work)?*

9. What type of spaces have you most often created work in over the past 5 years?*

Select any / all that apply.

10. How often do you have access to affordable or suitable rehearsal space?*

C. Original Presentation Context

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

11. Where was your work originally presented?*

Select any / all that apply.

12a. How was the original presentation funded?*

Select any / all that apply.

13. How long was the original season?*

14. What level of technical resources did you have for the original presentation?*

15. What were the main challenges prior and during the original presentation?*

Choose your top three.

D. Touring Experience and Barriers (National Touring)

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

16. How often has your work been remounted or toured (regionally or interstate) before?*

17. What barriers have prevented you from touring nationally in the past?*

Choose your top three.

18. How confident are you navigating the touring process?*

19. How would you describe your current touring reach?*

E. Funding, Income & Support

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

21. What is your primary source of income?*

22. What is your highest level of education?*

23a. In the past 5 years, how have you funded your artistic practice?*

Select any / all that apply

24. What is your average annual income from dance/choreographic practice?*

25. Do you currently receive any ongoing organisational support or residency affiliation?*

F. Motivation & Awareness

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

26. What motivates you to apply for ORBIT?*

Select any / all that apply

27. How did you hear about ORBIT?*

Select any / all that apply

G. Audience Insights

Please answer the following questions as the lead artist / choreographer in relation to the work you are submitting in this ORBIT application and / or within the past 5 year timeframe.

29. Approximately how many people attended the original presentation of this work?*

You may wish to reflect on who the work connected with and why.

This could include formal data, informal conversations, reviews, or observations.

For example, themes, movement style, performers, emotional impact, or visual elements.

Please share any thoughts on how touring could expand or shift the audience for this work.

This might include marketing, community engagement, or building long-term audiences.

35. How have you promoted or shared your work with audiences in the past?*

Select any / all that apply

This could include marketing, partnerships, audience research, or learning opportunities.

Section 9 - Declaration

I confirm that the information provided in this application is true and correct, and I understand the terms and conditions of the ORBIT Touring Program.*