MS Helen Herbertson

MS Helen Herbertson

Positions

  • Practice-led research in dance with a focus on performance and choreography (performance and choreography)

Overview

OverviewText1

  • A seminal figure in Australian dance Helen has honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Australian Dance Awards and received the Kenneth Myer Medallion for Distinguished Contribution to the Performing Arts in 2007. Throughout her career she has worked across multiple facets of the arts profession including significant periods as a choreographer, artistic director, independent producer, project manager, teacher, mentor, board member and artistic advisor. As a performer, choreographer and creative collaborator, Helen has been crafting performance for more than four decades, regularly presenting in Australian and international festivals (Glasgow, Dublin, Paris, Singapore, Portland, Tokyo, New York, Zurich). Her work is supported with grants from Australia Council, Creative Victoria with numerous Green Room Nominations including Awards for Best Production, The Betty Pounder Award for Original Choreography, Direction, Outstanding Creative Collaboration and the inaugural Australian Dance Award for Independent dance which she shared with long-term collaborator Ben Cobham. Individual Awards include: - Australian representative at the Oz/NZ Choreographic Courses (1972/2000), an Australian Bicentennial Travel Scholarship (1988), residency at The Paris Studio, Cite International des Arts (1994), an Artist in Residence appointment at the Dance Department UWS, Nepean (1995), a Fellowship from the Dance Fund, Australia Council (1997/98), an Asialink Residency in Singapore with Theatreworks (2000), participant in the IETM Australia Council Collaborations Project which initiated residency exchange between Australian and Finnish dance artists. Helen has been active in the development of Australian dance, dancers and choreographers through a variety of leadership and advisory roles: - Artistic Director, Danceworks (89-97), Artistic Director, Dancehouse (01-03), Member of the Board of the Green Mill Dance Project, Foundation member of Moriartys Project, Member (199   

Affiliation

Member of

  • Australian Society of Archivists. peak body for Australian Archivists and member of Victorian branch 2009 -
  • Multicultural Arts Victoria. Peak organisation for the promotion of multi-cultural artists across all artforms 1996 -
  • Royal Academy of Dance. International body for the promotion and knowledge of dance 1966 -
  • Ausdance National. Peak Natinal body for Professional Dance in Australia 1994 - 2012

Publications

Awards

Education and training

  • M.A, Victoria University of Technology 2004
  • Grad.Dip.IM, Monash University 1998
  • Dip.T, Queensland University of Technology 1970

Awards and honors

  • Lifetime Achievement Award - Australian Dance Awards, 2017
  • 2007 Kenneth Myer Medallion for Distinguished Contribution to the Performing Arts, Victorian Arts Centre, 2007
  • 2003 Australian Dance Award for Independent Dance - Morphia Series, Australian Dance Awards, 2003
  • Professional Achievement Award - Master of Arts, Victoria University, 2003
  • Green Room Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Collaboration - Delirium, Green Room Awards Association, 1999
  • Green Room Dance Award for Best Direction - Descansos...resting places, Green Room Awards Association, 1996
  • The Betty Pounder Award for Original Choreography - Descansos...resting places, Green Room Awards Association, 1996
  • ABC Radio National Fringe Award for Movement - Physical Business, ABC Radio, 1994
  • Green Room Dance Award for Best Dance Production - No Strings Attached, Green Room Awards Association, 1993

Linkages

Supervision

Available for supervision

  • Y

Supervision Statement

  • Practice-led research in dance with a focus on performance and choreography. A particular interest in choreographic form and interdisciplinary approaches and in new performance making through collaboration.