APAM champions contemporary Australian performance nationally and internationally by deepening relationships and stimulating new markets and pathways through exchange, reciprocity, and hospitality.

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.

Our Principles

+ First Nations as central
+ Reciprocity
+ Artist-centric
+ Sustainable and equitable
+ Experimentation
+ Asia-focused

Quick Questions

I'm an international presenter, visiting Australia. How can APAM assist me?

Get in touch before your trip and let us know when you're coming. The APAM Office can assist by:

+ Developing itineraries, making introductions to Australian artists, and helping make your trip more productive.

+ Hosting formal or informal networking events, for you to meet with a broad range of local artists, curators, producers, and companies.

+ Engaging a local host to show you around an Australian city and introduce you to artists and companies you're not familiar with, giving you further insights into the Australian performing arts sector around the country.

When should I visit Australia now that APAM has changed?

The APAM Office can support your visit at any time. We're open year-round to connect you with Australian artists and companies making contemporary dance, theatre, experimental and emerging art.

Alternatively, you can register to attend one of our Gatherings, which provide all the elements of traditional performing arts markets, including showcases, networking, and exchange programs.

APAM Team

The APAM team is a small but mighty group, ready to assist you to forge connections nationally and internationally.

Catherine Jones

Director

Sarah Bell

First Nations Lead - Associate Producer

Kath Papas

First Nations Lead - Senior Producer

Naomi Velaphi

Program Producer

Jaclyn Booton

Manager - Strategy

Tim Stitz

Manager - Partnerships & Operations

Melanie Burge

Associate Producer

Fraser Orford

Delivery Producer

First Nations

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.

Traditional Opening Ceremony, APAM 2018. Image: Rob Maccoll.

First Nations Advisory Group

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

ILBIJERRI Theatre Company

Aunty Nancy Bamaga

Black Drum Productions

Ben Graetz

independent artist

Merindah Donnelly

Blak Dance

Ali Murphy Oates, Lily Shearer, or Liza-Mare Syron

Rotating position, Moogahlin Performing Arts

Sustain-ability

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

FAQs

What does the APAM Office do?

The APAM Office is open year-round, serving as both a physical and figurative welcome desk for inbound visitors to Australia. The Office serves as the Australian-based hub for market intelligence about and for the contemporary performing arts - facilitating the exchange of insight, networks and opportunities between Australian and international artists, presenters and partners.

I'm an Australian artist travelling overseas. How can APAM assist me?

Get in touch with the APAM Office before your trip and let us know where you're headed. We can introduce you to a curator, presenter, or producer from that region who has an interest in Australian artists and work. We can also connect you with a fellow artist who has recent experience in the region you're visiting for their tips and recommendations.

When will APAM announce details of future Gatherings?

Rolling announcements will confirm each Gathering. This flexibility across APAM’s five-year program is a great way to take advantage of the lessons learnt in the new APAM model. It also allows APAM agility to respond to changes in the festival sector — and new opportunities and resources — that may not be on the horizon yet.

How does APAM and the Australia Council for the Arts intersect?

APAM is a strategic initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts, designed to showcase Australian and New Zealand contemporary dance, theatre, emerging and experimental arts nationally and internationally. APAM works closely with the Australia Council for the Arts’ International Development Consultants to ensure that national and international priorities are met.

Contact Us

APAM – Australian Performing Arts Market
G5, 152 Sturt Street,
Southbank, VIC 3006
AUSTRALIA
Google Maps

+61 03 9947 1020
hello@apam.org.au