Artistic Director

Lead the artistic future of Sydney Dance Company - from Sydney to the world.

Sydney Dance Company is Australia’s leading contemporary dance company, with a distinctive national identity and significant international reputation. Based on Gadigal Land at Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, the Company brings together an exceptional full-time Ensemble, an ambitious program of new work and repertoire, and extensive national and international touring.  Beyond the mainstage, Sydney Dance Company is a centre for creative development and learning, offering Australia’s largest public in-studio dance class program alongside a breadth of training, education and independent sector initiatives that contribute to the national cultural landscape.

Following Rafael Bonachela’s remarkable tenure since 2009, Sydney Dance Company is seeking an outstanding artistic leader to become its next Artistic Director. The successful candidate will bring a compelling and distinctive artistic vision, shaping the Company’s repertoire, commissions and collaborations; developing its Ensemble and artists; and building meaningful connections with audiences in Australia and internationally. The successful Candidate may be a choreographer, maker-curator or an artist with a gift for bringing diverse creative voices together around a coherent artistic vision.

Working in partnership with the Executive Director, Board and Senior Leadership Team, the Artistic Director will be a visible advocate for Sydney Dance Company and contemporary dance, building relationships across the artistic community, presenters, partners, government, philanthropy and audiences. This is a significant opportunity to lead an exceptional Company and help define the future of Australian contemporary dance from Sydney to the world.

Sydney-based | National and International applications welcome | Relocation assistance available. 

Visit the REA arts + culture website here to download the detailed Candidate Pack, including the Key Selection Criteria and application requirements.

Sydney Dance Company encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, mature age workers, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people. If you need any specific support to complete the application process, please contact [email protected] 

CONTACT

This search is led by REA arts + culture, specialists in executive search for creative industry leaders across Australia and New Zealand, and supported by Gregory Nash in Europe.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Candidate Pack and Key Selection Criteria before contacting REA arts + culture. Confidential conversations are welcomed from suitably experienced candidates wishing to explore their alignment with the opportunity before Monday 9 November.

Contact: [email protected]

Vanessa Duscio I Rebecca Wyles I Richard Evans

Candidate Pack: Available immediately via website registration here.

Applications close before midnight AEDT, Friday 13 November 2026.

Location

The position is based at Sydney Dance Company’s purpose-built home and studios, on the land and over the saltwater of the Gadigal at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Sydney, Australia.

Contract entitlements

Sydney Dance Company is offering a competitive salary package plus 12% superannuation, and standard Australian leave entitlements, including 4 weeks annual leave. The initial contract is 4 years and may be extended by mutual agreement. This includes a six-month probation period.