With its new sprung floor ready to support dance, yoga and Pilates classes, Coalcliff Community Hall is now officially the Illawarra's Moving Arts Hub.
AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre hosted a celebratory studio launch at the hall on Friday, 21 February, with the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, as the special guest.
AUSTI's founding artistic director, Michelle Maxwell, thanked everyone who helped the young contemporary dancers set up their first permanent home in the company's 14-year history.
“AUSTI was founded in 2011 – and since that time, we have been hiring multiple spaces to work in. It isn’t unusual for us to hire three different studios in one week,” Michelle said.
“So back in 2017, I got serious about finding a home for AUSTI. About that same time, a beautiful image of a studio that was located in bushland, with ceiling to floor windows caught my eye.
“This image then became the screensaver on my phone – and people would say to me, ‘What’s the significance of that image?’ I would respond: ‘I’m manifesting our dream studio.’
"Eight years later and here we are!”
Wollongong City Council appointed AUSTI as Coalcliff hall's licensee last year and, as well as providing a home for the company's own programs, the space will also host local arts, community and movement-based groups.
“We’ll continue to run our regular program on three days a week. And we have our newly established youth program for 12- to 17-year-olds, run by our gorgeous alumni, every Sunday in here,” Michelle said.
“We plan on setting up open access programs for eight to 12-year-olds, possibly five to eight-year-olds and adults without prior dance experience. Alongside that, we can see regular pilates and yoga classes, other movement-based practices happening here.
“We will also be hiring our space to local, Sydney and regional based artists who are seeking to work in a beautiful, sanctuary-style environment. We’re in discussions with similar organisations, with the goal of setting up residency partnerships and exchanges.”
Maryanne Stuart helped AUSTI secure $25,000 towards the newly installed portable sprung floor through the Premier’s Discretionary Fund.
“I was extremely happy to be able to help in some way to deliver this floor, which is not only for the dance company but for the wider community to be able to share as well,” Maryanne said.
“It’s from these spaces where we collaborate together, where you all get to network and find out what is possible, that we find out where the blockages are in being able to place the arts front and centre in everything we do within the community.”
Last October – after AUSTI featured on the cover of the Flame – the company also ran a public appeal via the Australian Cultural Fund and Michelle thanked her community for their support.
“Thank you to our incredible board. Thank you to Vyvian Wilson, Linda Luke and Zebastian Hunter – these three people submitted the documents to council, crunched the numbers, assisted me with the funding applications. None of this would have been possible without their support,” Michelle said.
“Thank you to our funding bodies, the New South Wales Government with assistance from Maryanne Stuart, the Australian Cultural Fund, our sponsors and supporters, Merrigong Theatre Company, National Strength Performance Centre, Wollongong City Council and STS Studio Supplies.
“We celebrate you today. And if all of you didn’t do what you do for us, and for many people, we wouldn’t be here today.”
The dance company is now looking forward to welcoming international choreographer Daniel Navarro Lorenzo in March to create a piece for AUSTI's May season, with performances at IPAC coming up on May 30 and 31.
Visit the website for more updates.
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