All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable in accordance with the Ticketing Code of Practice - Live Performance Australia and Bangarra's Ticketing Policy.
Please contact Bangarra for any enquiries.
Ticketing Policy
Tickets to Bangarra Dance Theatre events are sold by Bangarra Dance Theatre and third parties including ticketing agents and venue box offices. Tickets purchased through Bangarra Dance Theatre are subject to the terms and conditions outlined below. Tickets purchased through third parties are subject to the terms and conditions outlined by those parties which may differ from those outlined below.
Attendees must also abide by the terms and conditions of the venue in which the performance is held.
Bangarra Dance Theatre adopts the Live Performance Australia (LPA) Code of Practice for the Ticketing of Live Entertainment in Australia, available at liveperformance.com.au
1. Allocation of seats
The allocation of seats is at the total discretion of Bangarra Dance Theatre. Bangarra Dance Theatre reserves the right to vary, substitute or withdraw any seating arrangements, including Package seating.
2. Ticket prices
Ticket prices are correct at time of quotation or publication and are subject to change at any time without notice.
2.1 Bangarra Dance Theatre operates in a demand situation. Ticket prices will be dynamically adjusted, either up or down, based on real-time market demand and without notice.
2.2 Package tickets and package additional tickets are not subject to demand based pricing.
3. Ticket refunds
Tickets to Bangarra Dance Theatre's events and performances are non-refundable except in the case of a cancelled performance. Tickets that cannot be used may be donated back to Bangarra Dance Theatre and a tax receipt will be issued for the value of the ticket price. This can be claimed as a charitable donation. Tickets for donation must be returned to Bangarra Dance Theatre a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the ticketed performance.
4. Ticket exchanges
Tickets purchased directly through Bangarra Dance Theatre may be exchanged for the same production season, in the same city. Tickets cannot be exchanged between venues. Exchanges are subject to availability and seats comparable to those originally held cannot be guaranteed.
Tickets may be exchanged with Bangarra Dance Theatre Customer Services Team. Evidence of the original tickets being destroyed must be received by Bangarra Dance Theatre a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the scheduled performance. Newly issued tickets will then be returned to the package holder via post or collected from the venue box office with prior arrangement. Exchanges incur a handling fee of $5 per ticket exchanged.
In all instances, original tickets must be returned or evidence that they are destroyed provided, in order to facilitate an exchange. Lost tickets cannot be exchanged. Exchanges cannot be carried out once a performance has occurred.
Exchange fees are subject to change without notice. Ticket downgrades do not attract a refund.
5. Ticket upgrade and downgrades
If a ticket sold at a concession rate is to be used by a patron not eligible for the same concession, the difference between the concession and full rate must be paid by the ticketholder. This upgrade may be carried out with Bangarra Dance Theatre or venue box offices. If a full-priced ticket is to be used by a concession holder, the difference in price cannot be refunded.
6. Ticketing fees and charges
Some service fees apply when booking or exchanging tickets to performances by Bangarra Dance Theatre to cover the postage and/or handling costs associated with the transaction.
For general ticket purchases:
$5 for online bookings
$8 for phone bookings
$8 for counter bookings
Community event bookings through Bangarra Dance Theatre do not incur postage or handling fees.
Merchandise Delivery Fees:
$8 for Australian Parcel Post
$12 for Australian Express Post
$0 for Order collection at Bangarra Dance Theatre
Ticketing fees and charges are subject to change without notice.
Please note: Third party sellers, such as ticketing agencies and venue box offices, will charge different fees. Please check with individual selling agencies to find out more information about their fees.
7. Resale prohibited
You agree not to re-sell any tickets. Tickets must be purchased from an authorised ticket seller and must not be included in packages or used in advertising unless authorised by Bangarra in writing.
Tickets purchased from Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised re-seller may be cancelled without notice and/or the holder may be refused admission to the event.
8. Postage
While Bangarra Dance Theatre works to dispatch tickets and merchandise as soon as possible, all delivery timelines are guides only and delivery dates may be subject to change. All orders are sent via standard post unless otherwise noted. Orders will be posted to the shipping address nominated during purchase.
8.1 Ticket Delivery
Tickets purchased 14 or more working days in advance of the performance will be posted. Expected delivery timeline is 7 – 14 working days. Tickets purchased less than 14 working days in advance of the performance will not be posted. Your tickets will be made available for collection 1 hour prior to the performance start time at the venue Box Office. Tickets purchased internationally will be available for collection 1 hour prior to the performance start time at the venue Box Office. For Education events and classes, staff will check registrant names off a class list at the beginning of the event.
8.2 Merchandise Delivery
Standard Australian orders: please allow 5 – 10 working days from order, except where product listing indicates a different time-frame. Occasionally delivery may exceed these timelines for reasons outside of our control. All orders are sent with tracking numbers; please contact our Team if you need to follow up on an order. Express Australian orders: Express delivery typically occurs in 2 – 3 working days, though some non-metro postcodes may take longer. For orders placed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, please allow an extra business day for your delivery to arrive. All orders are sent with a tracking number; please contact our Team if you need to follow up on an order. Please note express delivery is not available to all locations or for orders in excess of 5kgs.
Order pick up from Bangarra Dance Theatre: Items are available to collect from the Sydney office. Items should be available for pick up next day. Please bring a copy of your order confirmation email together with valid proof of identity. If you would like someone else to collect your order on your behalf, they will need to bring a copy of the order confirmation, written permission from the person who placed the order, as well as their own valid proof of identity. Any orders not collected within 10 days of purchase will be cancelled. Please note that it may take up to 3-5 working days to credit your account.
9. School and groups ticketing
Schools and groups of ten or more are able to reserve tickets without payment in order for numbers to be finalised. An invoice will be issued at the time of booking and payment is required in full, six weeks prior to the event. In the case of reserved seating performances, seating allocation will not be confirmed until payment is received. School groups will receive one complimentary teacher/guardian ticket for every ten paying students.
10. Offers and discount pricing
From time to time Bangarra Dance Theatre will offer special discounts to selected performances. Relevant proof of entitlement must be presented when booking - whether in the form of a password, promotional code, identification or other measure. Partial refunds will not be given on tickets previously purchased at full price.
11. Event particulars including dates, commencement time, duration and casting are subject to change. Venue admission is subject to the terms and conditions of purchase and additional conditions of entry may apply at the venue. No responsibility is taken by Bangarra Dance Theatre for any travel or ancillary expenses incurred or for loss consequential from amendment to advertised event details.
PROMO CODE POLICY
Bangarra Dance Theatre offers our customers special discounts, promotions, and other opportunities from time to time. These offers can be accessed with a specific promotion code. This code is unique to the promotion and should be entered in the promo code box when purchasing a ticket on Bangarra Dance Theatre’s website or quoted to the Customer Services Assistant, at the time of booking and exactly as it appears in the offer/promotion. Unless otherwise stated, promo codes issued by Bangarra Dance Theatre are valid for sales through Bangarra Dance Theatre only.
CONCESSION POLICY
Bangarra Dance Theatre and agents selling tickets for our productions must sight valid concession or proof of age identification in order to dispatch concession-priced tickets. Venue staff may check concession identification upon entry to the venue, so please ensure you have valid concession identification on hand when attending performances. Where valid concession identification cannot be produced, an upgrade to the full-price ticket in that seating reserve will be required.
Available concessions may vary between performances and venues, and may change at any time without notice. Available concessions are as follows;
CONCESSION Concession pricing is available to individuals with an Australian Concession Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs issued Aged Pension card, and/or Full-Time Student Card from an Australian secondary or tertiary institution. Please provide a valid and official document that clearly shows your concession at the performance.
SENIORS Special pricing for government-issued Seniors’ Card holders for selected performances at selected venues. Please provide a copy of your Australian Government issued Seniors’ Card at the performance.
UNDER 30 Special pricing is available for youth aged 30 years and younger in selected cities for selected performances. Please provide a copy of an official document that clearly shows your date of birth upon arrival at the performance.
GROUPS POLICY
GROUP 8+ Special pricing for bookings of 8 or more. Payment is required at the time of booking.
FAMILY OF 4 Special pricing is available for families; is available for bookings of 1 adult and 3 children, or 2 adults and 2 children. Payment is required at the time of booking.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
LATECOMERS For the comfort and convenience of all patrons, latecomers can only be admitted into the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance. Suitable breaks vary between productions and may not be until an interval. If a suitable break prior to interval is identified, latecomers may not be seated in their ticketed seats, rather in an area adjacent to an entrance, where minimal disruption will be caused to seated attendees. This is at the discretion of venue staff.
Ticket refunds or exchanges are not available on the basis of late arrival. Bangarra Dance Theatre strongly recommends planning your journey to ensure you arrive at the venue well in advance of the scheduled performance commencement.
LOST TICKETS Lost ticket vouchers will be issued for misplaced tickets purchased through Bangarra Dance Theatre. These cannot be issued in advance of the performance and cannot be posted. Sydney and Melbourne ticket holders should contact Bangarra Dance Theatre to arrange a lost ticket voucher which can be collected from the venue box office 30 minutes prior to the performance. Lost tickets cannot be exchanged. Ticket holders who purchased through a venue box office or other booking agency should contact that agency to determine the procedure for lost tickets.
SHOP POLICY
DELIVERY AND SHIPPING FEES
Orders are delivered via the Australia Post network. All orders are sent to the shipping address provided during checkout. Australia Post may leave a card at the nominated address to arrange re-delivery if it was not able to be delivered.
Merchandise Delivery Fees:
- $10 for Australian Parcel Post
- International Post - price subject to location
We do not accept liability for any loss, theft or damage to the products after delivery.
STANDARD DELIVERY
Please allow 5 – 10 working days from order, except where product listing indicates a different time-frame. Occasionally delivery may exceed these timelines for reasons outside of our control. All orders are sent with tracking numbers; please contact our Customer Services Team if you need to follow up on an order.
EXPRESS DELIVERY Express delivery typically occurs in 2 – 3 working days, though some non-metro postcodes may take longer. For orders placed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, please allow an extra business day for your delivery to arrive. All orders are sent with a tracking number; please contact Customer Services if you need to follow up on an order. Please note express delivery is not available to all locations or for orders in excess of 5kgs.
DELIVERY FAILURE
It is important that you verify your information is correct, especially your delivery address. If the address provided is incorrect and the package is returned, you may be billed for the additional shipping charges in order for your delivery to reach you. You agree to this by placing an order with us and we reserve the right to pass on applicable charges to you if you provide wrong address information. We also require a contact phone number, which may be used by the courier to arrange delivery. If we and our delivery partner have been unable to deliver your order due to your error or fault after 21 days or three attempts (whichever is sooner), we reserve the right to cancel your order. In these circumstances we will refund you the price of your order, less the delivery fees incurred by us.
RETURNS Peace of mind returns and exchanges: If you change your mind or your order is not quite right, you may return it to us within 30 days of the date you received it. You must contact us with your name and order number before returning any items. The cost of returning the item to us is your responsibility.
Items returned must be in ‘as-new’ condition. This means you have not used, damaged, washed or laundered any of the items. Please return items secured in their original packaging if possible.
After we have received your item and confirmed it is in ‘as-new’ condition, we will issue you with an exchange or refund of the purchase price less the initial delivery fees. If you have purchased an item using a free shipping offer and returned it because you have changed your mind, we will deduct the actual shipping cost to us from your refund. If we cannot be satisfied that you purchased the product from us then we will not accept your product for return. Additional delivery charges may apply if you are requesting an exchange due to a change of mind.
YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS
The goods you purchase come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. If your product is faulty, broken or otherwise non-compliant with a consumer guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law please contact us as soon as possible with your name and order number and our Customer Service Team will advise you on the next steps.
DAMAGED ITEMS
Unfortunately, and despite our best efforts, items are occasionally damaged in transit. If you notice that an item is damaged when it is delivered to you, please contact us within two days of delivery with clear digital photos showing the damage. Our Customer Services Team will advise you on the next steps. The type of resolution we offer will depend upon the circumstances. We may arrange to replace the product or provide you with a partial or full refund of the purchase amount. If we require you to return the product to us, Bangarra Dance Theatre will pay the cost of the return. We reserve the right to refuse a refund in cases where we deem damage to a product to be due to fair wear and tear, misuse, failure to use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions or failure to take reasonable care.
GIFT VOUCHER POLICY
- Gift Vouchers can be purchased in any denomination above $10 via phone, specific denominations are available via website.
- Gift Vouchers expire on 12 months following Gift Card purchase. Expired Gift Cards cannot be redeemed. After expiration any remaining Gift Card monies will be donated to Bangarra Dance Theatre.
- Gift Vouchers may be redeemed online at www.bangarra.com.au, by phone on 02 9251 5333 or through Bangarra Dance Theatre offices.
- Where the value of items purchased is greater than the value of the Gift Vouchers, the difference is payable by the Gift Voucher holder. Where the value of items is purchased is less than the value of the Gift Voucher, the remaining value will be held on account by Bangarra Dance Theatre for future purchases by the Gift Voucher holder. Original expiry conditions will apply.
- The recipient must provide full contact details when redeeming a Gift Voucher.
- The Gift Voucher identification code must be quoted when redeeming.
- Lost, stolen or deleted Gift Vouchers cannot be replaced.
- There are no fees associated with purchasing Bangarra Dance Theatre Gift Voucher. Standard processing, booking or postage and handling fees will apply on redemption of Gift Vouchers.
- Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed for events and merchandise sold directly through Bangarra Dance Theatre. Gift Vouchers issued by Bangarra Dance Theatre cannot be redeemed for tickets purchased through venue box offices or other agencies selling Bangarra Dance Theatre tickets or merchandise.
TEACHERS' WORKSHOP TERMS & CONDITIONS
Payments
Payment/s for Winhanga-rra workshop must be paid within 14 days of receipt of invoice. Failure to receive your payment by the due date, will result in your place being cancelled and it will be re-advertised. If you have any issues with the payment schedule please contact us at: education@bangarra.com.au
Refunds, cancellations and transfers
There will be no refund of workshop fee if the participant does not attend on the date for which they are registered.
There will be no refund of fees within 14 days of the workshop except in the case of extenuating circumstances as outlined below.
• Personal illness, injury or medical emergency
• Immediate family sickness or medical emergency
• Circumstances beyond the control of the teacher
If a refund is determined as appropriate, a fee of $50 will be retained as an administration fee.
A full refund will be given to schools/teachers who have already paid their fee if Bangarra Dance Theatre cancels the workshop for any reason, (including natural disaster) however we will not be liable for any extra costs incurred –substitute teacher costs to school, travel to the workshop or accommodation.
If you have paid for your place in the workshop and you find yourself unable to attend, you may transfer your position to a later workshop, however you must provide 14 days’ notice. Transferring to a later date will incur an administration fee of $50.00.
NB: Please be aware that this may result in transferring to the following year as we have a limited program of events.
CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT
Bangarra Dance Theatre acknowledges the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children and works to uphold the ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. (Australian Human Rights Commission 2018)
We are committed to the safety and well-being of children by creating and maintaining a child safe organisation, where children are protected from all types of abuse and/or trauma.
Our commitment to Child Safety extends to creating and maintaining a culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
These commitments are instrumental in how we plan our programs, engage with young audiences and support all young people who participate in our learning activities, and are underpinned by relevant policies, procedures and risk management plans.
This Child Safety Statement applies to all employees, contractors, secondment and intern individuals and casual staff working at Bangarra Dance Theatre, in our studios, online, and in the theatres and venues where we perform.
Updated September 2022.
Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property Policy
This policy sets out the framework under which Bangarra Dance Theatre acknowledges and respects Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights.
Background
BACKGROUND
Bangarra Dance Theatre (Bangarra) acknowledges the industry standards set by Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts. These protocols have been widely adopted across the Australian arts communities to respect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and to develop practices and processes for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultural heritage. Bangarra incorporates ICIP into the very heart of our projects, from storytelling, to dance, to design, language, and music. This Policy is our statement on how we will respect ICIP in our work.
PURPOSE
We, Bangarra, are ignited by our obligation to Country and Community, to nurture the transmission of Story, knowledges, history and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to effect change and create lasting impact. In carrying out this obligation, Bangarra has developed this Policy to ensure that our engagement with Indigenous peoples and their ICIP is respectful and meaningful.
WHAT IS ICIP?
ICIP or Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, refers to the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This heritage is living heritage, handed down from generation to generation and inextricably connected to Country.
ICIP refers to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their heritage, both tangible and intangible elements. ICIP includes traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expression and cultural objects. It incorporates all aspects of knowledge (sciences, plant and animal knowledge, stories, designs and symbols, ritual knowledge), cultural objects (arts, crafts, jewellery, instruments, weapons, tools), languages, performances (ceremonies, dance and song), documentation and recordings of or about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and peoples, and ancestral remains and includes the secret and sacred (Figure 1). Many generations may contribute to the development of ICIP. In this way, ICIP is ever changing, ongoing and communally owned. Dealing with ICIP rights includes respecting individual and collective experiences, perspectives and priorities for communities and culture.
Figure 1: Categories of ICIP © Terri Janke & Company 2024
Bangarra supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including Article 31 which states that:
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures, including human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games and visual and performing arts. They also have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions.
While the Policy cannot specifically address all the ICIP issues Bangarra and their partners may face when working with Indigenous peoples and communities, it will support us to identify key ICIP issues, understand our own obligations in relation to ICIP, and know where to go for assistance. Figure 2 illustrates how ICIP may be incorporated in our projects and programs.
Figure 2: How Bangarra incorporates ICIP in dance performance.
ICIP Framework
1. RESPECT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Bangarra respects the right of all Indigenous peoples to control, use and maintain their culture, as expressed in Article 31 of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. ICIP is a living culture which may be reinterpreted by each generation in new and different ways. The rights in that culture are perpetual and never die. Unlike western intellectual property rights like copyright, ICIP rights are cultural and communal rights, and can belong to nations, clan groups, communities and families. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in our work will involve consideration of copyright and ICIP.
Bangarra recognises that the right to control ICIP includes both the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. For example, the cultural knowledge about a story, and the story itself or the cultural knowledge about a dance and the choreography of the dance.
We strive to ensure that the appropriate customs or cultural protocols are followed within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, acknowledging that these protocols may differ. These cultural protocols can include who can speak for cultural heritage, how wide a consultation may be, and whether the song, Story, dance, cultural object or other ICIP is appropriate to be shared with Bangarra. Bangarra respects these processes and the communities that it works with to develop our programs and other cultural experiences.
2. SELF-DETERMINATION
Bangarra respects the right of Indigenous peoples to be involved in decision-making about the use of their cultural heritage.
This right extends not just to initial discussions around the use of ICIP, but to maintain relationships over time as the use of ICIP, including the context in which it is presented, changes and adapts.
Bangarra has worked hard over many years to develop and strengthen our relationships with the Indigenous communities who share their culture with us. These relationships are our most precious resource and set the foundation for our work. With this relationship comes the responsibility of giving back to our communities. As Bangarra continues its work, we may develop new relationships and work with different communities to share ICIP. Bangarra will seek to involve each Indigenous partner in making decisions about the use of their ICIP, where appropriate.
Bangarra draws inspiration from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by developing and maintaining strong relationships with the communities we collaborate with. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, Dancers, Cultural Advisory Council, and Artists-in-Residence come from various communities and play a key role in advising on protocols. They identify the cultural authorities, local Elders, individuals, and organisations in their communities to engage with. Additionally, our Board, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, ensures the consistent application of cultural protocols. Bangarra does not seek to own the ICIP that we incorporate in our work. This rightfully remains owned by the Traditional Owners and knowledge holders of that ICIP who may authorise Bangarra and others to use that knowledge at their discretion.
3. FREE, PRIOR AND INFORMED CONSENT
Bangarra supports the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be consulted about the use of their cultural heritage, and to give their free, prior and informed consent for that use. This includes ongoing consultation, providing adequate time in which to engage in consultations to enable meaningful dialogue, and to provide time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to consider the implications of engaging with the company for any of their programs.
Bangarra always seeks approval for use of ICIP. Bangarra typically engages Cultural Advisors and/or Consultants who are involved throughout all stages of the development of our programs to provide guidance and approval on the use of ICIP. Bangarra engages key Cultural Advisors and/or Consultants to assist in the respectful and authentic delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs. This often includes the sharing of Stories from their respective communities, or families. As part of this role, advisors and/or Consultants are asked to sign an agreement under which they provide cultural consent for Bangarra to use any ICIP contained in their contributions. This agreement outlines the permitted use of the ICIP, the licensing terms, fees, community royalties and attributions. This consent recognises the interests of the community, and the Advisor and/or Consultant undertakes the responsibility of overseeing the authorisation of this consent.
The consultation process and connections to Elders are crucial for Bangarra's Youth Program. They create a safe space for Elders to pass on cultural knowledge to the next generation, ensuring the program's foundation and success. Through a thoughtful and inclusive consultation process, the Youth Program Team actively involves Elders in shaping the program's curriculum, activities, and teachings. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, allowing the program to reflect the diverse perspectives and knowledge of the community to ensure the ICIP remains in control of the community.
4. INTERPRETATION
Bangarra acknowledges the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be the primary guardians and interpreters of their cultural heritage. Bangarra’s purpose is to nurture the transmission of Story, knowledges, history and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to effect change and create lasting impact.
Bangarra is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company led by an Indigenous Artistic Director and Co-CEO. Over 50% of its workforce is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, including all of the Dancers, and Youth Programs Team. The Company Constitution requires a minimum of 50% of Bangarra’s Board to be Indigenous.
Bangarra engages its Cultural Advisors and/or Consultants to work with us to develop and produce authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and programs, where appropriate. This involves sharing knowledge with Bangarra, such knowledge and stories of Country, ancestor’s life stories, dances and songs. It also includes providing advice on staging and context, as well as overall involvement in our programs. Our Creative Team, Dancers, Artists-in-Residence, and Youth Program Team also share their local knowledge and inspire our programs from their respective backgrounds in a contemporary setting.
5. CULTURAL INTEGRITY
Bangarra always works to protect and uphold the cultural integrity of ICIP. We acknowledge that maintenance of cultural integrity strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Bangarra seeks community feedback over the integrity of its use of ICIP in its programs in a number of ways.
PRODUCTIONSBangarra’s Cultural and Creative Life Cycle for its productions typically begins on Country. Firstly, to consult and seek permission from key community leaders and Elders. If permission is sought, subsequent research trips to Country with members of the Creative Team are scheduled. Following this, Bangarra typically take the Dancers and Production Team to Country to immerse themselves with the community to hear the Stories and to get a sense of the land.
Our Return to Country initiative takes a production back to the community (Country) that inspired its creation for the viewing of the local people. For example, in 2014 Bangarra staged a ‘Best of’ work as a tribute to the contributions of Kathy Marika and Djakapurra Munyarryun. In 2022, Bangarra returned the production SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert back to the Fitzroy Crossing community.
Engaging with our Cultural Advisors and/or Consultants is also a source of ongoing feedback. Advisors and/or Consultants are invited to attend meetings, outreach programs, rehearsals, opening nights and subsequent performance seasons, to see the finished program and celebrate the launch.
Our Return to Country initiative takes a production back to the community (Country) that inspired its creation for the viewing of the local people. For example, in 2014 Bangarra staged a ‘Best of’ work as a tribute to the contributions of Kathy Marika and Djakapurra Munyarryun. In 2022, Bangarra returned the production SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert back to the Fitzroy Crossing community.
Engaging with our Cultural Advisors and/or Consultants is also a source of ongoing feedback. Advisors and/or Consultants are invited to attend meetings, outreach programs, rehearsals, opening nights and subsequent performance seasons, to see the finished program and celebrate the launch.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
By providing a space for feedback, the Youth Program Team enables Elders to pass on their cultural knowledge to the younger generation. This allows for open dialogue, mentorship, and the transfer of traditional practices, stories, songs, and dances. The process not only helps preserve and revitalise culture but also empowers the youth by instilling a strong sense of identity, pride, and connection to their heritage.
Following a residency, the Youth Program Team returns to the community to re-establish connections with participants, Elders, and community members. Return visits provide an invaluable opportunity for the team to revisit communities where workshops and residency’s have previously taken place. They offer a chance to witness and understand the impact of the program on participants and see the initiatives they have undertaken within their communities since their involvement in the workshops. These return visits allow for meaningful feedback and enable the team to gauge the long-term effects and outcomes of the Rekindling program.
Feedback received enables Bangarra to deliver its programs authentically, and in a way that ensures the cultural integrity of the ICIP.
6. SECRECY AND PRIVACY
Bangarra respects the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to keep their secret and sacred cultural heritage private in accordance with customary laws. ICIP may be secret for a number of cultural reasons, or may have restrictions applied (such as gender restrictions).
Bangarra consults with its Cultural Advisors and/or consultants, and with key community members and groups to ensure that the ICIP in its programs do not incorporate or refer to any secret or sacred knowledge.
Sometimes Bangarra may include ICIP of a sensitive nature in its programs. This consultation may take some time, depending on the nature of any sensitivity. Bangarra is respectful of cultural sensitivities and works in a way that considers those impacted by these sensitivities to avoid any conflict. Any knowledge sharing of a private/sacred nature is exchanged with the understanding that it is private and therefore not shared to the public (such as men’s/women’s business and burial ceremonies).
As part of the Return to Country initiative, certain community sacred knowledge may be shared to Bangarra by community members. This knowledge is respected and not used by Bangarra in its productions or in any other public way unless otherwise advised.
Bangarra acknowledges that use of images or the name of deceased people may be subject to cultural mourning practices in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Where Bangarra becomes aware that a person whose name, voice or likeness is featured in Bangarra productions or business has passed away, it will consult with the relevant family to ensure protocols are upheld. Bangarra acknowledges that in some instances it will not be possible to remove all content related to the deceased person, such as where printed programs from previous shows have already been published and distributed.
In instances where Bangarra uses the image, voice or likeness of a deceased person in our production and or business, it will consult with the family and community and consider options to respectfully follow protocols such as including display, a warning notice or sign advising viewers, readers or attendees (where practical) that the work may feature the image, voice or name of deceased people.
7. ATTRIBUTION
Bangarra recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities have the right to be attributed or credited for the use of their ICIP. Bangarra consults to ensure that it attributes Indigenous custodians, knowledge holders and communities in accordance with their wishes (including correct wording, language/clan reference, and pronunciation) and may use a traditional custodian’s notice where appropriate. A traditional custodian’s notice advises a viewer or reader that the work contains ICIP and is being used with the consent of the traditional owners and that no further reuse is permitted.
Bangarra credits its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Advisors and contributors in many ways, including acknowledgement in performance programs and cast sheets, Bangarra website and social media, recordings, and where possible, during interviews or public forums and in the media.
8. BENEFIT OF SHARING
Bangarra acknowledges the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share in the benefits for use of their ICIP. Benefits can be monetary (fees, royalties) or non-monetary but should always be relevant and useful for the cultural knowledge holder and the source community.
Bangarra pays Cultural Advisors and Indigenous artists for their services in advising and contributing content to projects. Benefit sharing will be discussed upfront and agreed upon as part of the engagement and consent process.
Bangarra has worked to develop a cultural exchange of knowledge, skill and art over its many years. Bangarra understands that relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are important, and that we have a responsibility to facilitate cultural exchange through our company’s performances and activities.
Bangarra offers the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dancers across Australia to work as professional Dancers with the company. In addition to Dancers, Bangarra also works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Choreographers, Artists, Musicians, and Designers (Set, Costume, Lighting) and other cultural and artistic practitioners to create immersive cultural performances and experiences. Bangarra facilitates the careers of emerging and leading artists and is committed to supporting and nurturing the Bangarra clan, through its many programs including: Russell Page Fellowship, David Page Fellowship, Indigenous Production Traineeship, Indigenous Staff Professional Development Fund, Dance Clan, Teaching Artists, Mentorships, Safe Dance Program and our Indigenous Employment Strategy.
As part of Bangarra’s Return to Country initiative, Bangarra organises a free community performance to share its artistic vision with the communities that have shared their cultural knowledge. Alongside any performance season, Bangarra facilitates youth workshops and cultural exchange activities.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
The program re-connects Indigenous youth with local Elders. Over a series of visits, and an engagement period of three years per location, participants explore stories from Land and community and choreograph a dance work inspired by their Country. The program also provides inspiration for future opportunities and career aspirations in performing arts.
Access to arts and culture nurtures strong self-esteem, a sense of identity, and pride. Our programs have profound influence on a sense of kinship, belonging, and connection to community and Country. Furthermore, they highlight their role in enhancing practical skills and personal capabilities, such as storytelling, dance, cultural understanding, work ethic, and relationship building.
Our long-term engagement programs, ensure that all young people, regardless of their home circumstances, have equal opportunities for educational and enriching experiences.
9. MAINTAINING ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURES
Bangarra acknowledges that it has a responsibility for maintaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and connections to Country for future generations. Bangarra promotes awareness and understanding of culture and connections to Country through sharing stories, history, and experiences, while on tour nationally, on Country, and internationally, including in New Zealand.
Bangarra actively support the transfer of skills in dance, art, song, language, and Story and encourages pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity. Bangarra has a strong culture of fostering this cultural exchange through our main company education workshops, in both regional and remote communities, as well as our youth programs. In 2013, Bangarra launched its youth programs to inspire and develop the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers and dancers. Our flagship program, called Rekindling is an intensive dance based program and residency for secondary students exploring ‘who you are’ and ‘where you come from’. The participants research and gather stories with the help and guidance from Elders within their communities, to develop dance, performance and creative skills to produce dance theatre in collaboration with local Elders. The program is designed to maintain culture by way of a cultural exchange, with Bangarra sharing its skills and knowledge, which were passed on to us by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributors. As its name suggests this program also aims to rekindle culture for participants who may be disconnected from it. This is heavily reliant on community involvement, including Elders, who share local culture and stories which some of the participants may not otherwise experience.
10. RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION
Bangarra is committed to following this Policy and future legislative developments, which recognise and protect ICIP rights. Bangarra supports Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Bangarra recognises the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their cultural heritage. Bangarra will ensure that its contracts and agreements reinforce the principles in this Policy and make it clear that Bangarra does not own the ICIP which has been shared with us by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This knowledge belongs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clans and communities, and Bangarra recognises that it has been permitted to use that ICIP with the consent of the community. Bangarra will commit funding, resources, and accountability strategies to support the proper implementation of this Policy.
IMPLEMENTATION
ADOPTION AND USE OF POLICY
Bangarra’s Board has approved this ICIP Policy. This Policy and its ICIP Framework form the working guidelines for Bangarra in its interaction with ICIP and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. All Bangarra staff members are obliged to act in accordance with this Policy.
This Policy is incorporated by reference into Bangarra’s suite of contracts to ensure that its partners and collaborators, uphold the ICIP framework and recognise ICIP rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Updated August 2024