The Keir Foundation was established by Phillip Keir and Sarah Benjamin as a Private Ancillary Fund to foster innovation and excellence in the arts. Our goal is to enable artists to make original work of a high order. The Foundation supports the work of new and emerging practitioners across art forms.

From the beginning, the Keir Foundation has supported works of contemporary dance, competition, theatre and visual art by partnering with festivals, producers and gallery spaces. In addition to assisting work made by small and medium side companies, the Keir Foundation is committed to models of funding that ensure maximum assistance to artists and to putting the creative process at the heart and centre of grant making. Our enthusiasm is in enabling artists to develop new work performed and shown for the enjoyment of audiences.

PHILLIP KEIR worked in theatre and performance in New York, London and Cologne before returning to Australia to join Sydney Theatre Company as Associate Director. In 1987, he developed NextMedia, a consumer magazine company, which went on to become the 4th largest consumer magazine company in Australia, publishing popular culture titles including Australian Rolling Stone Magazine. In 2005, he established the Keir Foundation to provide grant support in the arts and human rights. The Foundation has been active in the areas of Visual Arts and Dance, particularly with projects that have involved the commissioning of new work with an international dimension. He is a collector of international contemporary art. He speaks regularly on contemporary collecting; most recently at Art Basel HK. Phillip has had a particular interest in contemporary dance since studying at the Merce Cunningham studios in the late 1970s. He is the founder of the Keir Choreographic Award.

Established in 1992 by local artists, Dancehouse is Australia’s only presenting and producing house dedicated solely to the year-round presentation of dance by and with independent dance artists and communities.

Dancehouse represents a diversity of visions, practices, and generations committed to the expression, development and celebration of dance artists, and the artform itself.

Find out more at https://www.dancehouse.com.au/

Carriageworks is one of Australia’s most renowned and significant contemporary multi-arts organisations. We support artists and producers to develop and present major new works in performance, visual arts and related artforms. Reflecting the diverse communities of urban Sydney, our artist-led program is ambitious, radical and always inclusive.

Find out more at https://carriageworks.com.au/

Creative Australia is the Australian Government’s arts funding, development and advisory body. We support Australia’s arts through funding, strengthening and developing the arts sector. Our vision is to enrich our nation by supporting the practice and enjoyment of the arts.

Find out more at https://creative.gov.au/