Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australia's pre-eminent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company, is set to tour works from their critically acclaimed 2016 season to New York and Paris in 2016, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This marks Bangarra's 24th international tour, travelling with their 16 member dance ensemble.

In September, Bangarra will take to the stage to perform Spirit at the New York City Center's 13th annual Fall for Dance Festival. Bangarra will be the only Australian company on the bill at Fall For Dance Festival and Bangarra's Artistic Director Stephen Page says the company is thrilled to be performing

"Presenting our artistry and storytelling on the world stage is a highlight of the year for us. Bangarra is a passionate cultural ambassador for Australia, with a distinct and profound voice. Our ability to connect with audiences without the limitations of language, enables us to share Indigenous history and grow artistic relationships between Australia and countries all over the world.

"Fall For Dance is a great opportunity and it's an honour to be the only Australian company on the bill at one of the worlds best dance festivals. We've put together traditional and contemporary sections of our repertoire and we're proud to have Bangarra founding member and Yolngu songman, Djakapurra Munyarryun, perform with us and share his Ngurrtja–Land Cleansing Song."

From New York, Bangarra will travel to Paris in October for their first standalone season, performing at the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac in Paris. The company will present five performances of Ochres, re-imagined for generations of audiences and one of Bangarra's most iconic works. These shows will form one element of the company's residency, which will be comprised of public talks, workshops and screenings of Stephen Page's acclaimed directorial feature film debut SPEAR from 5 – 8 October.

Bangarra's Executive Director Philippe Magid said ""We are thrilled that the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, recognises our role in building important links as cultural ambassadors, by supporting this international tour to New York and Paris."