Grow Temperance Hall

Can you help us to Grow Temperance Hall in 2026?

With your support across 2025, we established a new operating model focused on independent artists working in dance and embodied performance.

We supported 21 artists and collectives in residencies up to two months long, and hundreds more through heavily subsidised studio hire. We facilitated 18 public outcomes providing audiences with unique opportunities to encounter works in their early stages.

As new Board member and dance icon Becky Hilton put it: “You’re not reinventing the wheel. Residencies aren’t new. But it’s how you do it that makes the difference.”

Our vision is artist-led artistic independence. Practising artists run the organisation — across Board, staff, and residency programs. The person pouring a drink at an event, or writing a socials post, is probably also an extraordinary dance artist.

2026 is a crucial second year. Our funding picture is mixed: we missed out on key state and federal program funding, but secured a substantial heritage infrastructure grant from the Victorian Government, alongside continued support from the City of Port Phillip and the Neilson Foundation.

Our model is working, but to sustain it we need your support.

An audience member recently described Temperance Hall as:

“A gift… a lifeline… vital to any hope of artists continuing to survive.”

In 2026, can you help us to Grow Temperance Hall?

Donate today.

Sound: Michael Munson