About APAM

The Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) is Australia’s premier contemporary performing arts event that brings the sector together to exchange ideas, experience new Australian work, engage in critical dialogue, build skills and partnerships, find new collaborators and investors, and network with national and international peers. 

Established in 1994 by the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body, APAM is set to increase international and national touring opportunities for Australian contemporary performing arts groups and artists.

APAM was first held in Canberra in conjunction with the National Festival of Australian Theatre, before moving to South Australia where it was presented in association with the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe from 1998 to 2012. 

In 2011, the Australia Council awarded the tender for the 2014, 2016 and 2018 APAM events to Brisbane Powerhouse, which will see the events held in the Queensland capital for the respective years.

Brisbane Powerhouse will be the home for all APAM activities and performances, with additional events being held across a network of local APAM venue partners including the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, the Queensland University of Technology Gardens Theatre, and the Queensland Conservatorium | Griffith University.

APAM 2014, 2016 and 2018 will coincide with Brisbane Powerhouse's annual WTF: A Festival of Contemporary Performance. WTF will provide a clear point of difference between APAM and other international markets, as well as an opportunity to gain insights into Australian arts in the Asia Pacific region and a global context.

Over the years, APAM has grown into a well-established event that enjoys great industry support and has attracted a growing number of presenting artists, as well as national and international agents, presenters and producers that attend the event as delegates. Building on the event’s reputation, APAM 2014, 2016 and 2018 are set to maintain the number of presenting artists and delegates.

APAM 2014, 2016 and 2018 is presented by the Australia Council for the Arts in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Brisbane City Council is the principal supporter of APAM. The Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, proudly support APAM 2014, 2016 and 2018.

For more information about previous APAM events, visit the APAM website archive.