DANZ
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. The Award was set up in January 2021 in honour of the late Bill Sheat OBE, CNZM, (1930 - 2021).
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
- Recognised international full time classical ballet and/or contemporary dance programmes of equivalent standing, as determined by the trustees in their absolute discretion.
Applications now close 12 May 2026.
Queries about eligibility or the application process may be directed to: sandranormanshaw@gmail.com
Applications are assessed by a panel of professionals and all decisions are final.
Bill Sheat 1930-2021: A visionary advocate for the arts - NZ Herald
NZ Herald
OBITUARY William Newton Sheat, OBE, CNZM b. Hawera, 1 May 1930 - d. Wellington, 20 January 2021 Bill Sheat, a founding partner in Gibson Sheat law firm in...
