What Lucy Guerin Inc does

Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) is a Melbourne-based contemporary dance company and registered not-for-profit association incorporated in Victoria, Australia, founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Lucy Guerin AO. The company creates, produces, and tours contemporary dance works nationally and internationally, presenting at festivals including RISING, Venice Biennale, Biennale de la Danse Lyon, and SCOT Summer Festival Japan. LGI operates WXYZ Studios, a purpose-built facility in North Melbourne opened in 2018, comprising two studios (Chloe Munro Studio and Studio Two) that serve as both the company's rehearsal home and a commercial/community hire venue for Melbourne's independent dance sector. The organization runs an integrated suite of programs including year-long Residencies, short-term Make a Start residencies, First Nations Residencies in partnership with BlakDance and Carriageworks, the PIECES annual commissioning triple-bill with University of Melbourne Arts and Culture, the Out of Bounds works-in-progress platform, Morning Classes, HOTBED workshops, Dance Dialogues talks, and the Naarm/Solo Dance Exchange with EkosDance Company in Indonesia.

LGI's business model combines government grants (federal Creative Australia, state Creative Victoria, local City of Melbourne), philanthropic donations including a $2,000+ Commissioning Circle tier, earned revenue from ticketed performances, studio hire (Chloe Munro Studio from $93/hr, Studio Two from $80/hr), and class/workshop fees with subsidized rates for First Nations artists, students, and recent graduates. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Peter Jopling AM KC, with executive leadership shared between Artistic Director & Co-CEO Lucy Guerin AO and Executive Director & Co-CEO Kylie McRae, supported by an Executive Producer & Deputy CEO and a small operational team. Notable outcomes in the past year include 5,400+ audiences across 52 performances, 28 studio residents hosted, 2,770+ hours of free studio space provided, 236 classes to 2,250+ participants led by 58 teachers, and 14,362+ hours of employment for artists and collaborators. In 2022 LGI received a $2 million bequest from former Chair Chloe Munro AO, the largest ever for Australian contemporary dance, disbursing $1.5M in fellowships to twenty artists. Lucy Guerin has announced she will step down as Artistic Director at the end of 2026 after 25 years, with active recruitment underway for her successor as Artistic Director and Co-CEO.

Name

Lucy Guerin Inc

Legal name

Lucy Guerin Association Incorporated

Website

https://lucyguerininc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lucy Guerin Inc is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit contemporary dance company that creates, produces, and tours dance works while operating WXYZ Studios as a community hub and home for artist residencies, classes, and commissioning programs serving choreographers, dancers, and audiences across Australia and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Dance Production and Artist Development

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance productions
• Choreographic commissioning programs
• Dance artist residencies
• Rehearsal studio hire
• Dance classes workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

North Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Revenue: Revenue from ticketed performances of new dance works presented at festivals and venues including RISING Festival, Union Theatre, and touring venues
2. Studio Hire: WXYZ Studios available for private and commercial hires; Chloe Munro Studio from $93/hr, Studio Two from $80/hr; also offers artist pricing for independent dance artists
3. Classes and Workshops: Morning classes and workshops offered at WXYZ Studios with single class and multi-pass pricing; subsidized rates for First Nations artists, students, and recent graduates
4. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations from individuals; Commissioning Circle for donors contributing $2,000+ annually; supported by major benefactors and individual supporters
5. Government Grants: Supported by Australian Government through Creative Australia, Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and City of Melbourne as principal arts investment

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lucy Guerin Inc is a not-for-profit contemporary dance company that creates and tours original dance works, operates WXYZ Studios (a two-studio purpose-built rehearsal venue available for hire), and runs a suite of artist development programs including residencies, classes, workshops, and commissioning platforms such as PIECES and Out of Bounds. The company serves professional choreographers and dance artists from emerging to mid-career stages and presents works nationally and internationally to festivals and venue partners.

Product overview

Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) is an Australian contemporary dance company established in 2002, operating as both a producing organization for new dance works and a community hub for the independent dance sector. The company's core offerings consist of: (1) LGI Dance Productions - major new contemporary dance works that premiere at festivals and tour nationally and internationally; (2) WXYZ Studios - their purpose-built venue in North Melbourne with two studio spaces available for hire; (3) Studio Programs - a comprehensive suite of artist development opportunities including Resident Director (year-long), Make a Start (short-term), Moving Forward (project-specific), and First Nations residencies; (4) Performance Programs including PIECES (annual commissioning triple-bill) and Out of Bounds (choreographic sharing platform); (5) Classes & Workshops including Morning Classes, HOTBED workshops, and Dance Dialogues discussions; (6) First Nations Programs with residency, internship, and industry placement components; and (7) Chloe Munro Fellowships providing significant financial support to artists. The organization operates from WXYZ Studios and maintains partnerships with universities, presenter networks, and cultural organizations across Australia and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WXYZ Studios: Purpose-built studio home at 130 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne, offering rehearsal spaces for hire, classes, workshops, and events for the dance community. Features two studio spaces (Chloe Munro Studio and Studio Two) available for artistic and private hires.

Products and services

• Contemporary Dance Productions Original contemporary dance works created by LGI's artistic team and collaborators, presented at festivals and toured nationally and internationally. Notable works include The Forest, One Single Action, and PENDULUM, premiered at venues such as RISING Festival and Venice Biennale.
• WXYZ Studios Hire Purpose-built dance rehearsal venue in North Melbourne featuring two studio spaces available for hourly hire. The Chloe Munro Studio (12m x 12m with sprung floor) is hired from $93/hr and Studio Two (8.5m x 8m, wheelchair accessible) from $80/hr, with a 3-hour minimum hire. Artist pricing is available on request for independent dance artists.
• Artist Residencies Studio residency programs for choreographers and dance artists, including the year-long Resident Director role, Make a Start (1-2 week early-stage residencies), Moving Forward (for projects ready to be refined), and First Nations Residency in partnership with BlakDance and Carriageworks.
• PIECES Annual Commissioning Program Annual triple-bill commissioning program presenting choreographers in a 20-minute work format, developed at WXYZ Studios and premiered at Union Theatre in partnership with University of Melbourne Arts and Culture.
• Out of Bounds Choreographic Platform Choreographic platform for Victorian dance artists to share works in progress with audiences and peers. Originally devised by LGI and Temperance Hall and co-presented with Dancehouse from 2025 onward.
• Morning Classes Regular program of dance and yoga classes taught by experienced teachers at WXYZ Studios, offering diverse techniques, styles, and approaches. Pricing tiers include $15 single class, $25 week pass, $65 5-class pass (6 months), and $120 10-class pass (12 months), with $8 subsidized rates for graduates, First Nations artists, and students.
• HOTBED Workshop Program Workshop program led by invited local and international choreographers bringing contemporary dance thinking and practice to the local dance community at heavily-subsidized rates.
• Dance Dialogues Talks Series Talks series featuring conversations between dance artists exploring practice and art-making, hosted in-studio at WXYZ Studios and livestreamed, focused on teaching, choreography, and contemporary dance discourse.
• Naarm/Solo Dance Exchange Long-term choreographic partnership between Australian and Indonesian dance artists, with one choreographer from Melbourne (LGI) and one from Solo, Indonesia (EkosDance) collaborating over two years to create new work guided by Artistic Directors Lucy Guerin and Eko Supriyanto.
• First Nations Programs Comprehensive suite including First Nations Residency (senior artist support in partnership with BlakDance and Carriageworks), First Nations Graduate Internship (paid internship with LGI and Joel Bray Dance for NAISDA graduates), and First Nations Industry Placement Program for NAISDA students.
• Chloe Munro Fellowships Bequest-funded fellowships disbursing $1.5 million to twenty mid-career and independent artists for professional and personal development. Each fellow received $100,000, distributed from the $2 million Chloe Munro AO bequest, representing the largest fellowship program ever for Australian contemporary dance.
• Commissioning Circle Donor Program Annual giving tier offering exclusive invitations to LGI events including opening nights and work-in-progress showings for donors contributing $2,000 or more annually. LGI is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and Charitable Entity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,400 audience members across 52 performances in the past year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CarriageworkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Joined the First Nations Residency partnership in 2022, strengthening national reach. Provides dedicated studio time at Carriageworks in Sydney alongside WXYZ Studios in North Melbourne. Supported by NSW Government through Create NSW.
• EkosDance CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-term choreographic partnership between Australian and Indonesian dance artists. One choreographer from Melbourne (LGI) and one from Solo, Indonesia (EkosDance) collaborate over two years to create new work, guided by Artistic Directors Lucy Guerin and Eko Supriyanto. First cycle 2022-23 created 'Memories From Suspended Places'; current cycle 2024-26 features Yuiko Masukawa and Mekratingrum Hapsari creating 'Mekar Yang Diam'.
• Arts Access VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to increase engagement and build capacity and knowledge in the broader community regarding access and inclusion for Deaf and Disabled artists.
• e.motion21minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership supporting the Artistic Capacity Building program, a professional development program for artists with Downs Syndrome.
• BlakDancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for the LGI First Nations Residency, providing a nationally connected creative development platform for First Nations contemporary dance artists. BlakDance provides national sector leadership and cultural governance framework. Partnership established from LGI's participation in BlakDance's Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Audit and evolved into ongoing residency program.
• NAISDA Dance CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Multi-year partnership creating the LGI First Nations Graduate Internship (paid internship with LGI and Joel Bray Dance) and LGI First Nations Industry Placement Program (two NAISDA Advanced Diploma students invited annually for industry placements during rehearsals).
• Joel Bray DancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborative partner in the LGI First Nations Graduate Internship, providing a four-week paid secondment alongside LGI for emerging First Nations dance artists from NAISDA.
• DancehousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Co-presenter of Out of Bounds choreographic platform since 2021, with Dancehouse joining the partnership from 2025 alongside Lucy Guerin Inc. Platform invites Victorian dance artists to share works-in-progress.
• Temperance HallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Original co-presenter with Lucy Guerin Inc of Out of Bounds choreographic platform. Premiered at Temperance Hall in March 2021.
• Yellow WheelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Melbourne's pre-professional dance company serving as Resident Company at LGI/WXYZ Studios. Each year supports talented young artists through creation of major new works, public intensives, and Trip the Light choreographic season.
• Creative AustraliacoreOthers · 1 January 2018Australian Government principal arts investment and advisory body providing ongoing funding support to Lucy Guerin Inc. Also supports BlakDance and the Naarm/Solo Dance Exchange through Creative Australia.
• Creative VictoriacoreOthers · 1 January 2018Victorian Government arts investment body providing ongoing funding support to Lucy Guerin Inc.
• City of MelbournecoreOthers · 1 January 2018Local government arts support providing ongoing funding to Lucy Guerin Inc.
• University of Melbourne Arts and Culture (UMAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-commissioning partner for PIECES annual triple bill program. Artists develop work at WXYZ Studios and University of Melbourne, with studio space offered in-kind. Premieres presented at Union Theatre.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Australian Dance Theatre: Adelaide-based contemporary dance company creating and touring new works. Comparable as an Australian producing contemporary dance company with international touring and residency programs.
• Dancehouse: Melbourne-based dance center co-presenting Out of Bounds choreographic platform with LGI. Comparable as an independent dance sector hub supporting artists, residencies, and presentation in Melbourne.
• Rambert: UK-based contemporary dance company creating and touring new choreographic works internationally. Comparable as an established contemporary dance company with similar producing model and international touring profile.
• Bangarra Dance Theatre: Australia's leading Indigenous dance company creating new works rooted in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Comparable as an Australian producing dance company with international touring and cultural programming.
• Sydney Dance Company: Australia's largest contemporary dance company creating and touring new works nationally and internationally. Closest Australian peer to LGI in artistic mission, though larger in scale and budget.
• Force Majeure: Sydney-based contemporary dance company creating and touring new choreographic works. Comparable as an Australian independent contemporary dance producer with international reach.
• Chunky Move: Melbourne-based contemporary dance company creating and touring new choreographic works. Directly comparable to LGI in city, scale, and mission as a producing contemporary dance organization.
• Stephanie Lake Company: Australian contemporary dance company founded by choreographer Stephanie Lake, an LGI alumna. Highly comparable in producing model, scale, and independent contemporary dance positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Batsheva Dance Company: Israel-based internationally renowned contemporary dance company. Comparable as a globally recognized contemporary dance producer, though operating at significantly larger scale and longer establishment than LGI.
• The Australian Ballet: Australia's largest ballet institution and a former LGI commissioning partner. Overlaps with LGI in Australian dance ecosystem but operates at much larger scale across classical and contemporary programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/lucyguerininc
• Facebookfacebook.com/LucyGuerinInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/lucyguerininc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lucy-guerin-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lucy Guerin Inc