Bangarra wins prestigious Golden Lion award
The Bangarra Dance Theatre has been recognised with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance by the Biennale Danza 2026, the dance division of La Biennale di Venezia, becoming the first Australians 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 will become the first company to receive this prestigious honour.
Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre, Frances Rings.
The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement will be awarded alongside the Silver Lion, for young/emerging artist during the 20th International Festival of Contemporary Dance.
The festival will take place in Venice from July 17 – August 1, where Bangarra will also present the European premiere of Frances Rings’ seminal work, Terrain.
Both awards have been approved by the Board of Directors of La Biennale di Venezia at the recommendation of Artistic Director of the Dance Department of the La Biennale di Venezia, Sir Wayne McGregor, CBE.
“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.,” Sir Wayne said.
“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”.
Stephen Page and Frances Rings of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. (Photos: Daniel Boud)
Key facts:
- Bangarra Dance Theatre becomes the first Australian recipient and first company to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance from La Biennale di Venezia.
- The award will be presented during the 20th International Festival of Contemporary Dance in Venice (17 July – 1 August 2026), where Bangarra will premiere ‘Terrain’ in Europe.
- The recognition acknowledges Bangarra’s 35-year contribution to dance, combining contemporary and traditional First Peoples’ artistic expression.
- Artistic Director Sir Wayne McGregor praised Bangarra’s role in causing a seismic shift in understanding dance and its cultural context.
- The achievement has been celebrated by Australian leaders, including the Minister for the Arts and the Governor-General, as a significant moment for Australian culture globally.
Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre, Frances Rings, said she was honoured to receive the award.
“This prestigious award also recognises all those who have come before me at Bangarra; our dancers, Uncle Rob Bryant, Cheryl Stone and Carole Y. Johnson who founded the company, our premiere First Nations training institution NAISDA – the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association, and Stephen Page who led Bangarra for 30 years, working alongside his brothers Russell and David Page,” she said.
And the award has been noted by the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn.
“This Award is a powerful moment for Australian culture on the world stage, celebrating Bangarra’s artistic excellence and the unique strength of the company’s storytelling, grounded in the world’s oldest continuing culture,” Ms Mostyn said.
“I am so proud of this acknowledgement of Bangarra’s extraordinary contribution to global cultural representation, it is an important reminder of the deep creativity and leadership of First Nations artists who share that with audiences everywhere.”
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.
