As one of Critical Path’s initiatives to build leadership capacity within the dance community we invite an independent choreographer, with experience of supporting other artists and initiating sector development projects to be the Associate Artist for up to two years. These artists collaborate within our organisation extending their skills and understanding and gaining experience with a sector leader. They are also invited to explore a project that is important to them that engages with others in the sector.
This year’s Critical Path Associate Artist Henrietta Baird, during her residency at Critical Path will be working on her project Plant A Promise (working title). Plant A Promise is a project growing out of Henrietta’s ongoing research into native plants, First People’s land management practices and climate change. Building on work in the Choreo-Hack Lab in early 2019 and discussions during the Indigenous Artists Workshop – Articulating Practice, Henrietta is exploring the opportunities to use dance and installation as a choreographic tool to create a socially engaged project on the subject of climate change.
The current research activity includes the testing of new ideas with a number of advisors, including possible collaborators, and the shaping of practice for Henrietta in relation to the needs of her project.
ARTIST BIO
Choreographer and performer Henrietta Baird is a Kuku Yalanji woman from FNQ, graduated from NAISDA in 2005. Henrietta performed in many productions across Australia, including Vicki Van Hout’s “Stolen”, which toured NSW. Her script “The Weekend” was one of 6 finalists selected for the Yellamundie Festival. Henrietta performed in “Divercity” which toured Dance Massive (2017), Yirrimboi Festival (2017), Spirit Festival (2018) and showcased at APAM (2018).