The Bill Sheat Dance Award is an annual grant awarded on merit to support a dancer committed to advancing their dance career. The successful candidate must demonstrate how they intend to contribute and commit to the future dance environment in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The award is available to dancers who have graduated within the last 5 years from a recognised tertiary institution in classical ballet or contemporary dance. To apply they must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

Eligible dance tertiary institutions include:

• New Zealand School of Dance, Unitec, Te Auaha, TAPAC, and other accredited full time classical ballet and/or contemporary dance programmes, and recognised university dance degree programmes, in New Zealand and overseas.
• Recognised international full time classical ballet and/or contemporary dance programmes of equivalent standing, as determined by the trustees in their absolute discretion.

Applications have now closed for 2026. Reopen April 2027.

The annual award is $2000.

Any queries about your eligibility or application contact: Sandra Norman. Applications are assessed by a panel of professionals and all decisions are final.