Bangarra Dance Theatre makes history with Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Venice

Bangarra Dance Theatre is set to make history on the world stage as the first entire company to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance at the Venice Biennale. The prestigious ceremony, scheduled for 26 July 2026, marks a significant milestone for the Australian First Nations organisation, which has spent nearly four decades sharing Indigenous stories through contemporary movement. Originally founded in 1989, the company’s recognition at the Biennale acknowledges a monumental body of work that spans 35 years. While First Nations Australian artist Archie Moore received a Golden Lion in 2024, Bangarra is the first Australian recipient to be honoured in the dance category. The award celebrates the collective efforts of the hundreds of participants, dancers, and storytellers who have shaped the company’s legacy since its inception. Artistic director Frances Rings, a Mirning woman from Kaurna/Adelaide, described the accolade as a validation of Bangarra’s mission. Reporting for the Koori Mail, Rings noted that the platform allows the company to put First Nations stories on stage to shift perspectives and create change. The company’s production 'Terrain', choreographed by Rings, is also set to make its European debut during the Biennale. Long-serving former artistic director Stephen Page, a Nunukul-Munaldjali man who led the company from 1991 to 2022, reflected on the group's journey from its early days to gaining international prominence. Page highlighted the role of former chairman Aden Ridgeway in helping the company navigate the Australian mainstream while maintaining a distinctive Indigenous voice. According to Page, the company’s success lies in its ability to celebrate heritage through a contemporary form, creating a potent new language from ancient expressions.