APAM is a strategic initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts. It is designed to showcase Australian and New Zealand contemporary dance, theatre, emerging and experimental arts nationally and internationally. APAM has operated for 24 years as a biennial market event in Canberra (1994-1998), Adelaide (1998-2012), and Brisbane (2014-2018). For 2020-2024, APAM is delivered by Creative Victoria and has evolved to reflect the increasingly connected, sophisticated and established Australian and New Zealand performing arts sector.
The key functions of APAM are:
+ An APAM Office, open year-round to facilitate visitors to Australia
Based in Melbourne with a national remit, a small, dedicated staff of advocates is ready to welcome, host and connect international artists, presenters, and partners with contemporary Australian performance.
+ Hosting 1–2 annual APAM Gatherings at established festivals around Australia
Gatherings replace the previous biennial market events, increasing the number of APAM events and the diversity of contexts in which to visit performing arts communities around the country.
+ Market intelligence for contemporary Australian performance
APAM will serve as an Australian-based hub of market intelligence that will benefit contemporary Australian performance and its advocates internationally.
For more information read the APAM Program Overview.
If you’re planning to visit Australia – whether for an APAM Gathering or at another time of the year – email us and we can connect you with a diverse range of companies and artists across Australia. Consider APAM your performing arts industry Visitor’s Desk.
The APAM team is a small but mighty group, ready to assist you to forge connections nationally and internationally.
Catherine Jones
Director
Kath Papas
First Nations Lead - Senior Producer
Naomi Velaphi
Program Producer
Emma Calverley
Manager - Partnerships & Operations
Melanie Burge
Associate Producer
Shelley Matulick
Digital Content Producer
Renée Dudfield
Program Producer
Erica McCalman
First Nations Delivery Producer
First Nations artists and their work and the sector’s engagement with the Asia Pacific region is central to all APAM activities and this is reflected in our first key partner relationship with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company.
As the First Nations Lead for APAM, ILBIJERRI brings extensive expertise and leadership as a successful and internationally engaged First Nations led organisation. The partnership comprises two producers employed by ILBIJERRI and based in the APAM office and the APAM First Nations Advisory Group, made up of performing arts sector leaders from First Nations across the country, who guide the producers’ work.
The First Nations Advisory Group supports APAM’s decision-making, providing advice, engagement, and guidance to the APAM Office. Collectively, the First Nations Advisory Group also supports the programming, cultural and creative decisions of our First Nations Lead Producers.
Rachael Maza AM
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
Ben Graetz
Creative Director, Producer & Independent Artist
Merindah Donnelly
Ali Murphy-Oates (left) & Lily Shearer (right)
Rotating position, Moogahlin Performing Arts
Gina Rings
At APAM we are committed to a more sustainable future and we encourage sustainable practices within our everyday operations and at our Gatherings.
We aim to reduce our impact on the environment in the following ways:
+ For our Gatherings we are working with Greenfleet to encourage participants to offset emissions of flights and participation in the event. Greenfleet plant biodiverse native forests in Australia to absorb carbon emissions and help fight climate change. To date, they have planted 9.2 million trees and over 500 forests to protect our climate, improve soil and water quality, and restore habitat for native wildlife.
+ Offer only plant-based food at catered events
+ Limit printed collateral
+ Use recycled or biodegradable products where possible
+ Develop engaging online based programming for continued international connections
APAM – Australian Performing Arts Market
G5, 152 Sturt Street,
Southbank, VIC 3006
AUSTRALIA
Google Maps
+61 03 9947 1020
hello@apam.org.au