The Company

Chunky Move creates bold, visually striking and genre defying dance works. These works are experiments that merge the body with other forms, explore new ideas and materials and respond to different spaces and contexts. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Antony Hamilton and Executive Director Kristy Ayre, Chunky Move plays a crucial role in driving the artform of dance forward in Australia and beyond. Artists and audiences are at the heart of our company, expressed in our dense program of major works, commissions, residencies, workshops and public classes. Our collaborations, partnerships and projects aim to extend artform influence in the public realm and increase the visibility of contemporary dance as an everyday artform.

Watch an Auslan description here
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We value fearless experimentation, rigour in practice, deep collaboration, and our place in dance sector leadership.

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History

Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director, Gideon Obarzanek and Executive Producer, Angharad Wynne-Jones, Chunky Move established itself as one of Australia’s most innovative, awarded and recognised performing arts companies, setting an early precedent for Australia by eschewing an ensemble model and embedding artistic reinvention. 

Under the Artistic Directorship of acclaimed Dutch choreographer, Anouk Van Dijk (2012 – 2018), Chunky Move continued to provide creative exploration for audiences, dancers and collaborators.  

In December 2018, Antony Hamilton, Kristy Ayre and Freya Waterson were appointed to lead the company. These appointments signalled a contemporary approach to leadership transition and have provided invigorated artistic and organisational capacity to evolve Chunky Move for a new generation of dance artists and audiences 

To explore the company’s history, deep dive the archive here.

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Place

Chunky Move is located on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We respectfully acknowledge the significant contributions of Australia’s First Peoples, and are committed to supporting the continuity of culture and relationship to this land.

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Building

The studios of Chunky Move are located in the same building as ACCA (Australian Centre of Contemporary Art). The building is also referred to as ‘Ngargee’ a Bunurong word for describing a ‘gathering for celebration’.

The rusty steel building, completed in 2002, and designed by local architects Wood Marsh, has become one of Melbourne’s architectural icons.

In the words of architects Roger Wood and Randal Marsh:

“The building is designed to make reference to its function…a sculpture in which to show art. It was also designed to support art practice in an optimistic way…and to be a robust laboratory for experimentation. Openings in the external fabric are kept to a minimum and the vocabulary of steel frame and taut metal skin references past occupation of the site, namely warehouses, foundries and sheds.”

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People

Dancers and Collaborators

  • 4/4

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  • Token Armies

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  • You, Beauty

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  • Universal Estate

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  • Yung Lung

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  • AB_TA_ Response

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  • NON_TA_ Response

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  • Rewards for the Tribe

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  • U>N>I>T>E>D

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Team

  • Kristina Arnott

    Senior Producer

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  • Kristy Ayre

    Executive Director and co-CEO

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  • Hannah Brown

    Office and Program Coordinator

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  • Ashley Buchanan

    Production and Operations Manager

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  • Ngioka Bunda-Heath

    First Peoples Partnership Coordinator

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  • Elyse Cox

    Development Manager

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  • Tammy Currie

    Finance Administrator

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  • Antony Hamilton

    Artistic Director and co-CEO

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  • Melanie Lane

    Choreographer in Residence

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  • Jahlia Solomon

    Marketing and Communications Coordinator

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  • Olivia Walker

    Production and Operations Coordinator

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Board

  • Sally Calder

    Chair

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  • Gabrielle Cummins

    Director

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  • Lauren Donazzan

    Director

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  • Brad Macdonald

    Director

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  • Tam Nguyen

    Director

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  • Lili Pechey

    Treasurer

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  • Jasmin Sheppard

    Director

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  • Sophie Travers

    Director

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North American Agent

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Contact

Visit

111 Sturt Street, Southbank, VIC 3006
See: Getting to Chunky Move
See: Social story
See: COVID-19 Safety

Office hours

Monday-Friday: 9am-5:30pm

By phone

(03) 9645 5188
Chunky Move is contactable through the National Relay Service here

Email

info@chunkymove.com.au

Online

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

 

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Getting to Chunky Move

111 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006

We’re located at 111 Sturt Street, Southbank, in the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. Enter from Sturt Street or through the undercroft via Grant Street. There’s a tram stop nearby, and plenty of car parks and bike racks. It’s also a nice walk from Flinders Street train station.

There are currently site works underway affecting access to our entrance. The best and most accessible point of entry is via Sturt Street, to the right of the ACCA main entrance. Follow the gravelled passage along the fence line and rusted wall, following signage towards Chunky Move.

Please take care when arriving and exiting. Contact our office should you require any access assistance (03) 9645 5188.

Train

Alight at Flinders Street Station, and walk across Princes Bridge, up St Kilda Road, turning right at Grant Street. View the route here on Google Maps. Alternatively, take the Route 1 tram toward South Melbourne and alight at Stop 18. Please note, Stop 17 is the closest accessible tram stop on this route.

Tram

Route 1 travels along Sturt Street and straight to our building. Alight at Stop 18. Walk past the ACCA front door, through the courtyard towards the Chunky Move sign. This is our front door.
Please note, visitors requiring the use of an accessible tram stop on this route, alight at Stop 17 at the Recital Centre and continue south down Sturt Street. Walk past the ACCA front door, through the courtyard towards the Chunky Move sign. This is our front door.

Routes 3, 5, 16, 64, 67, 72 all travel along St Kilda Road. Alight at Stop 17 (accessible tram stop) on the corner of St. Kilda Road and Grant Street and continue down Grant Street, approximately 450m to our entrance on Sturt Street, near the corner of Grant Street and Sturt Street. View the route here on Google Maps.

Bike

Bike racks are located right out the front of ACCA on Sturt Street or adjacent to the Malthouse Theatre entrance (opposite our front door).

Car

Metered street parking is available in Grant Street, Dodds Street and Sturt Street. There are two car parks for people with a disability right in front of the ACCA entrance on Sturt Street.
Commercial car parks are located at Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Ballet Centre at the end of Sturt Street.

Our Melways Reference is 2F F10, and GPS latitude/longitude is -37.826636, 144.966564.

Accessibility

You can read our step-by-step guide on getting to Chunky Move, or watch it in Auslan here.

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Venue Hire

The Chunky Move Studios are Melbourne’s premiere purpose-built dance studios. They feature large, versatile spaces, the iconic orange panelling, sprung floors, state of the art low power LED lighting, daylight from skylights, power facilities, building amenities and security.

Chunky Move holds developments, dance classes and performances across both studios throughout the year. Please be aware Chunky Move hold regular classes mornings and evenings, including weekends, and all hires are subject to the availability of the studios and the discretion of the Company.

The studios are a versatile and attractive venue for:

  • Corporate Events – workshops and classes
  • Performance Rehearsals – dance and theatre
  • One-off Workshops & Classes – dance, theatre and yoga
  • Auditions – dance and musical theatre

Venue Tech Specs

For more information on our studios for hire, please see our Venue Technical Specifications document.

Enquiries & Bookings

For all enquiries regarding studio hire rates and availability please contact the Office & Program Coordinator on (03) 9645 5188 or info@chunkymove.com.au

To submit a hire request, please complete this form.

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First Peoples Engagement Framework

Our First Peoples Engagement Framework was established in 2021. It is a dedicated framework outlining Chunky Move’s approach and guiding principles for engaging First Peoples and detailing how this aligns with the company’s core values. We are grateful for guidance and the valuable input of Rob Hyatt from Koorie Heritage Trust and for generous contributions from Daniel Riley and Ngioka Bunda-Heath. Access our First Peoples Engagement Framework HERE.

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Equity Action Plan 2021-2024

Chunky Move is committed to ensuring our works and program reflect the community we’re part of. Our 2021-24 Equity Action Plan (EAP) outlines clear goals, actions and targets to meaningfully increase access and inclusion for underrepresented groups. Access our Equity Action Plan HERE.

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Code of Conduct

Chunky Move is committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive and flexible workplace environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. We do not tolerate or condone any form of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or bullying in this workplace. Access Code of Conduct HERE.

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Social Media

The safety and wellbeing of our artists and collaborators is paramount and Chunky Move has a zero tolerance policy for online abuse. Any online commentary on Chunky Move’s social channels that breaches the company’s social media guidelines will be removed immediately. Access our Social Media Policy HERE

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There are currently no positions available at Chunky Move.

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