After 12 years shaping one of the country’s most distinct contemporary dance voices, Raewyn Hill will step down as inaugural Artistic Director of Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia at the end of 2026.
The announcement, made by the company’s board, signals the close of a foundational chapter for the Perth-based organisation, which Hill has led since its inception. Under her direction, Co3 has grown into a nationally recognised company with an expanding international presence, building a reputation for ambitious new work, touring reach and sustained community engagement.
Board Chair Margrete Helgeby Chaney described Hill’s impact as central to the company’s development, noting her role in establishing Co3 as Western Australia’s state contemporary dance company and guiding it towards national and international recognition.
“As Co3’s first Artistic Director, Raewyn has had a profound impact on the contemporary dance sector in Western Australia and helmed a company now recognised nationally and internationally,” Chaney said.
Hill will remain in the role as Artistic Director and Co-CEO through to December 2026, overseeing the company’s transition and continuing to shape its artistic output, including development of the 2027 season. Her final world premiere is scheduled as part of that 2027 program, positioned as a culminating work within her tenure.
In her own statement, Hill reflected on the arc of the company’s first decade, pointing to a period of establishment and growth that has seen Co3 develop new works, deepen its connection with audiences and invest in artists across the sector.
“It has been a privilege to serve Co3 in its formation and during this period of establishment and growth,” she said. “I have been proud to guide Co3’s artistic journey by shaping bold new works, deepening our connection with audiences and communities, nurturing extraordinary artists, and positioning contemporary dance from Western Australia with confidence on the stage.”
The company has toured widely across regional Western Australia and New Zealand, and was selected to represent Australia at World Expo Osaka, extending its reach to international audiences. Alongside its performance program, Co3 has developed a network of partnerships and pathways, including collaborations with WAAPA and the independent sector, aimed at supporting the next generation of artists.
The board has confirmed that a search for Co3’s next artistic and entrepreneurial leader will begin shortly, with further details to be announced later this year. The transition is framed as part of a longer-term approach to renewal, with the company maintaining a two-year artistic cycle and a slate of new works already in development.
As Co3 moves towards its next phase, the focus remains on continuity as much as change. A substantial body of work, a defined artistic identity, and a clear connection to its community sit firmly in place. What comes next will build on that groundwork rather than reset it.