Internationally recognized as Australia’s only arts training organization providing accredited courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) has launched a call for applications for its 2025 cohort. The leading arts training organization for First Nations people opened applications on Monday, June 3, encouraging aspiring dancers to express their interest soon. NAISDA Calls for 2025 Cohort Applications: Empowering First Nations Youth Through Dance
With a nearly 50-year legacy of nurturing Australia’s foremost First Nations creative and cultural artists, NAISDA’s unique learning model emphasizes lifelong learning, culture, and connection. One of the annual highlights is the cultural residency program, delivered in partnership with remote communities and cultural tutors. Each year, the NAISDA cohort immerses in learning on Country with a remote community, gaining guidance, knowledge, kinship, and a deeper connection to Country.
“These unforgettable learning experiences are not offered anywhere else in Australia. They provide a solid foundation in cultural dance technique and, importantly, strengthen students’ sense of self, empowering them to build their own contemporary practice and opportunities as independent artists,” said Berthalia Selina Reuben, a Peiudu and Samsep woman from Erub, Darnley Island, and Cultural Trainer at NAISDA.
NAISDA dancers performing on stage. (Image: NAISDA)
NAISDA’s nationally accredited qualifications, ranging from Certificate III to Advanced Diploma, include skills development in cultural and contemporary dance genres, dance film, and music production, aligning with the demands of the arts industry. The training also encompasses real-world performance and production experiences in professional theaters, as well as valuable industry placements with arts companies and artists.
Located on Darkinjung Land at Kariong, NSW Central Coast, NAISDA provides support services and programs to cultivate a thriving student community, including onsite accommodation options and comprehensive training facilities.
For recent NAISDA graduate Peta-Louise Rixom, the program offered a variety of experiences and opportunities, leading to her current role as Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Indigenous Production Trainee. “NAISDA’s curriculum, particularly the Advanced Diploma, offers training tailored to industry needs and your interests. One of the most important things is finding your own people—that’s what NAISDA can offer. They really do become family,” she said.
Maddison Fraser, another recent graduate and 2024 Secondee with Dirty Feet, shared, “NAISDA has given me the opportunity to grow and develop into a confident artist who can navigate the performance industry. The opportunities to connect with Country and experience different First Nations communities provide so much life experience. Learning how to set yourself up to have a career, be independent, and learn from internationally respected choreographers is invaluable.”
NAISDA dancers performing. (Image: NAISDA)
First Nations applicants wishing to apply must submit their online applications before September 2, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit NAISDA’s official website.
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