Bangarra’s flagship youth program, Rekindling, has connected with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia for the past ten years. Rekindling inspires pride, kinship and a sense of strength in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through a series of dance residencies with secondary school-aged students. Over the course of the year, participants spend time On Country, gather stories with guidance from Community Elders and develop skills to produce thought-provoking performances and events.
Rekindling is led by Youth Program Director Sidney Saltner after 25 years as one of Bangarra's most acclaimed artists. Sidney is supported by our Youth Program Coordinator Sani Townson, Youth Program Team Tutor Mitchell Harrison-Currie and our 2022 Russell Page Graduate Youth Programs Trainee Amberlily Gordon.
The 2022 Rekindling Youth Program is now open for registrations with workshops in Mackay, Broome and Theodore. Please contact your school to register in Mackay and Broome.
Click here to sign up for Wulli Wulli Cultural Camp in Theodore, Queensland.
Bring Rekindling to your Community
Communities are chosen based on their interest in supporting the program as well as assessment of need. The Rekindling team works closely with Community leaders and Elders to cultivate the sharing of local stories, songs and dance.
If you are a Community leader and are interested in bringing the Rekindling program to your area, please read the Expression of Interest PDF, and complete the Expression of Interest form below.
Bangarra delivers Rekindling as a free program to communities across Australia. We rely on philanthropic support to transform the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Bangarra's Rekindling Program is generously supported by:
- Angela Wright Bennett Foundation
- Besen Family Foundation
- Bowden Marstan Foundation
- James N. Kirby Foundation
- John Villiers Trust
- The Metamorphic Foundation
- MJW Foundation
- The Todd Family Foundation
- Plus many generous individual donors
