Co:3 (Koh three) is an ambitious Australian arts company taking the next stage in its development as a legacy organisation. In 2020 Co:3 Australia enters a new two-year cycle of programming and introduces a range of digital initiatives. The first year of the new programming cycle is devoted to partnership presentations, and the second is focused on staging new works by Co:3’s Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill.
“The aim is for our work to be loved locally and celebrated internationally,” said Artistic Director Raewyn Hill. “We are committed to creating a sustainable, permanent, extraordinary dance company based here on Whadjuk country.”
“Dedicated to nurturing Australia’s finest contemporary dance practitioners we have an ambitious, entrepreneurial artistic vision for the Company’s sustainable future, that holds creativity and the dancers’ wellbeing as our highest priority.”
The model is underpinned by three key principles: creating employment opportunities for WA artists; developing and presenting extraordinary works of art in WA; and building sustained stakeholder engagement.
2020 is the first partnership year and sees Co:3 perform in Circa’s Leviathan (Perth Festival) the West Australian Ballet’s Reincarnation, Australian Dance Theatre’s Objekt, and WA Opera’s Nightingale.
“Co:3 Australia is a young company, established in one of the toughest economic times for the arts in recent history,” said Executive Director Alana Culverhouse. “Therefore, it has had to implement new ways of operating, and generating revenue, to ensure its longevity.”
The first of the digital initiatives Co:3 has embraced in 2020 is to create a revenue stream that is not related to government funding or corporate sponsorship. Co:3 dancers feature in dance-fitness videos on KIXXFIT, the just-released App that is a disrupter in the fitness industry.
“Partnering with KIXXFIT helps us develop a dynamic culture that drives a resilient, forward-thinking company that sees us integrating technology to attract and grow our audience,” said Culverhouse. “In a rapidly changing consumer market, we need to remain relevant to our audiences of the future. Placing the company in the paradigm of fitness, in addition to arts and culture, makes perfect sense in these fitness and wellness-focused times.”
In 2020 the company goes from strength to strength with celebrated investment and support from high profile local organisations. Wesfarmers have increased their three-year funding to create an Artistic Director Partnership. EY have renewed its partnership with the company for the fourth year as Principle Presenting partner for the main stage presentation of ADT and Co3’s season of Objekt. Joint funding from both the Western Australian and South Australian Governments will also support seasons of the production in each state.
“We are dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of our people and to equip them with the skills to advance in their career,” said Culverhouse. “To see us achieve this, we are excited to be partnering with the Australian Institute of Management WA (AIMWA) as our learning and development partner.”
“This partnership provides our people with access to AIMWA’s invaluable learning and leadership programs, ensuring our people are constantly developing and our organisations capability is constantly growing. Additionally, we have three new hospitality partners joining us in in 2020: Clairault Streicker Wines, Gage Roads Brewing Co and Giniveristy Gin.
“We are delighted to welcome our new partners into the family, and we look forward to growing these relationships throughout 2020. We would also like to acknowledge our founding donors, Michael and Margrete Chaney, for their ongoing support.”
For more information, visit: www.co3.org.au for details.
Image: Co3 Artists Tanya Rodin and Katherine Gurr – photo by Stefan Gosatti