Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance 2027

Job Description:

Applications are invited for Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier community dance residency – the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance 2027

“I can only hope dance can be utilised in more and more positive ways to help us embrace the diversity and difference that makes our world so fantastic.” Caroline Plummer

Applications are invited from community dance practitioners from around the globe.

The Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance is a six‑month residency supporting outstanding artists in community dance. The Fellowship was established in 2004 to commemorate and continue Caroline’s vision for dance as a powerful means of celebrating and improving humanity. The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to community dance practitioners, teachers, choreographers and researchers to actively promote and enable community dance through creative practice, teaching, research and community service.

The Fellowship aims to foster high‑quality community dance practice through research, teaching, collaboration, and public engagement.

What the Fellowship offers

• A six‑month, full‑time position (beginning between 1 February and 1 March 2027).
• A stipend equivalent to a University Lecturer’s salary.
• Workspace within the School of Performing Arts, with access to dance facilities and collegial support.
• Opportunities to contribute to the research, performances and teaching within the Dance programme at the School of Performing Arts.
• Access to the University Library and facilities.
• Support for community dance-based projects, including up to NZD 5,000 in project costs.
• The Fellow is expected to reside in or near Dunedin during the tenure, with flexibility for approved community work elsewhere.

Who can apply

• Community dance practitioners, teachers, or researchers — from anywhere in the world.
• No degree required. No membership needed. What matters is your vision and your commitment.
• Practitioners whose work lifts communities, brings healing, or creates spaces for inclusive shared creativity.

What to include

Applications must include:

• A video link of you discussing your project (five minute maximum).
• Curriculum vitae.
• An outline of your proposed dance project (five page maximum).
• Samples of work (500 words maximum). PDF or Word files are preferred.
• Two referee reports, from referees well placed to comment on your writing/art/composition/dance experience (view the template HERE).

Dance Project

This should be a clear description of your proposed dance project, in no more than five pages, which:

• Takes into consideration and incorporates the dance values espoused by Caroline Plummer.
• Shows how the project will benefit the participants and/or the community at large.
• Provides evidence that the project will respect and respond to the needs of the participants.
• Shows how the project will benefit and lift the profile of the Fellowship and the University.
• Indicates what media exposure/publications are proposed.
• Sets out a realistic budget and an achievable timeline.

Video Link

Please provide a link to an online video clip of you talking about your project. The clip is not to be edited and should be no more than five minutes in length.

How to apply

Applications quoting reference number 2600412 will close on Monday, 1 June 2026.

For further information about the Fellowship and previous recipients, please see below for attached Conditions of Award.

Additional Information

Contact: Arts Fellowship Administrator

Contact: Recruitment Team Tel: 64 3 479 8275

Position details: Conditions of Award

Guidelines for Academic Positions: Guidelines

Further Information: Otago Arts Fellowships, Caroline Plummer Memorial Trust, Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance

Location: About Dunedin