Fed: Young artists to take part in mentoring program

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2010
Fed: Young artists to take part in mentoring program

By Susanna Dunkerley

CANBERRA, April 12 AAP - Nerida Matthaei loves dance and has travelled the country
performing, choreographing and teaching the art.

So it was a logical next step for the 27-year-old, who has won numerous accolades,
to create a piece for a professional dance troupe.

And thanks to a new federally funded mentoring scheme for emerging artists, she'll
get the chance to do just that.

Over the next six months Matthaei will work under the guidance of Natalie Weir, a well-known
choreographer who has produced works for major companies including the Australian Ballet
and the American Ballet Theatre.

And it will be the first piece of work that Matthaei will choreograph specifically
for professional dancers.

"I have done a lot of choreographic work but it has mainly been with other independent
artists," the Brisbane-based artist told AAP.

"So this is a great opportunity for me to choreograph with a professional dance group,"

she said, referring to the Expressions Dance Company.

Matthaei is one of 36 young artists, aged 18 to 30, selected to take part in the JUMP
program, managed by the Australia Council.

Participants will team up with professional artists across many platforms including
indigenous arts, theatre, music, visual arts and literature.

Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett says the program provides important opportunities
for talented young artists.

"The artists show terrific potential, which will be well fostered over the course of
the relationship with their chosen mentor," he said.

Matthaei agrees the program is critical for the development of young artists.

"We get a step-up in our career and get to focus on what we do creatively without having
to think about all the other things like how to pay the bills."

AAP sld/jlw/

KEYWORD: DANCE (PICS AVAILABLE)

2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.