Key Facts:
- Bangarra Dance Theatre has been awarded the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance at the Biennale Danza 2026 in Venice, becoming the first Australians and the first company to receive the honour since the award's inception.
- The award was collected by current Artistic Director and Co-CEO Frances Rings alongside former long-term Artistic Director Stephen Page, with 12 Bangarra dancers also present in Venice for the European premiere of Rings' work, Terrain.
- The Golden Lion recognises a lifetime body of work and artists who have transformed the language of dance; historically given to individual choreographers and dancers, Bangarra is the first company to receive the prestigious award.
At an award ceremony in Venice today, Bangarra Dance Theatre has been recognised with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance by the Biennale Danza 2026, the Dance Department of La Biennale di Venezia, becoming the first Australians and the first company to receive the esteemed award since its inception.
The Golden Lion acknowledges a lifetime body of work and artists who have transformed, evolved and brought new urgency to the language of dance, infusing it with the vital force of their cultures. Historically awarded to choreographers and dancers, Bangarra has become the first company to receive this prestigious honour.
The award ceremony took place in Venice, where Bangarra Artistic Director and Co-CEO Frances Rings collected the award, alongside previous, long-term Artistic Director of Bangarra Stephen Page. They were supported by 12 of the Bangarra dancers and members of the company, in Venice this weekend to present the European premiere of Frances Rings' seminal work, Terrain as part of La Biennale Danza 2026.
Director of the Dance Department of La Biennale di Venezia, Sir Wayne McGregor, says of this year's award, "Since the start of my directorship, I have aimed to profile and advocate for the outstanding artists and companies whose influence and impact extend beyond their remarkable work alone. Highlighting and honouring the artists selected for this year's Golden and Silver Lions exemplifies this ambition – not least because they are individuals and collectives who have caused a seismic shift in our understanding of dance and the cultural context in which it is performed. Their integrity, passion, commitment and power have often driven radical change, frequently overcoming great challenge and resistance"On accepting the prestigious award, Mirning woman Frances Rings, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre said, "This is an incredibly exciting day for Bangarra Dance Theatre and our entire Bangarra family past and present. For Australia and our many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to be internationally recognised with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance is truly an enormous honour.
"It is incredible to have this validation from an international organisation with the prestige of the Venice Biennale, recognising that Bangarra's impact has rippled across the globe. This award recognises all those who have been part of the Bangarra story. The work we do we don't do alone. We do it in collaboration, with our First Nations communities, Elders and cultural consultants, with hundreds of alumni, dancers and creatives, our staff and Board. Importantly, this award recognises the visionary impact of Stephen Page who elevated the company and First Nations stories, creating the company Bangarra is today. And our founders Uncle Rob Bryant, Cheryl Stone, Carole Y. Johnson, who alongside the founding Bangarra dancers, created the company in 1989. It is these shoulders that we stand on today as we take Bangarra into the future."
Bangarra's previous Artistic Director (1991 to 2022), Munaldjali and Nunukul man Stephen Page, said "Receiving a global acknowledgement is extraordinary, let alone being a First Nations company. It makes you appreciate the amount of work, energy and focus that has sustained Bangarra Dance Theatre for over 30 years, and continues to do so today. It is a wonderful recognition of Bangarra's exploration of the cross over between contemporary and tradition. We are deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for the Biennale di Venezia's recognition of our distinctive Dance Theatre language with this Golden Lion Award".
About us:
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra Dance Theatre is a company of professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers. One of Australia's leading performing arts companies, Bangarra shares its culture with communities and audiences across Australia and the world.
Drawing on 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Bangarra creates powerful works of contemporary dance theatre, integrating music, poetry and design. Each Bangarra dancer, is a professionally trained, dynamic artist with a proud Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background. Ignited by an obligation to Country and Community, Bangarra nurtures the transmission of First Peoples' Story, knowledges, history and experiences to effect change and create lasting impact.
Bangarra was founded in 1989 by Uncle Rob Bryant, Cheryl Stone and Carole Y. Johnson, born from the energy of NAISDA, the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association. Between 1991 - 2022, Bangarra was led by Artistic Director Stephen Page. A creative icon, Stephen's vision and tenacity have made Bangarra one of the most successful First Nations performing arts companies in the world. Long-standing Bangarra company member and award-winning choreographer, Frances Rings, became Artistic Director and co-CEO of Bangarra in 2023, leading the company with Executive Director and co-CEO Louise Ingram. Today, Frances and Louise lead the company in Bangarra's mission to promote awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Bangarra tours major performances across Australia from capital cities to regional towns, delivers its Rekindling youth program to nurture the next generation of storytellers, offers career and development pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and regularly tours internationally.
