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 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 as the APAM Office 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, and to read frequently asked questions about how APAM can service you and your work, read the APAM Program Overview.
If you’re interested in learning more about Australian contemporary performance contact the APAM Office.
Our Principles
+ First Nations as central
+ Reciprocity
+ Artist-centric
+ Sustainable and equitable
+ Experimentation
+ Asia-focused
APAM Team
The APAM team is a small but mighty group, ready to assist you to forge connections nationally and internationally.
Catherine Jones
Director
Melanie Burge
Program Producer
Christine Kan
Associate Producer
Kath Papas
First Nations Lead - Senior Producer
Mayella Koroi
First Nations Lead - Associate Producer
Emma Shearman
Digital Production Manager
Subashini Weir
Operations Coordinator
Contact us directly:
Catherine Jones: catherine@apam.org.au
Melanie Burge: melanie@apam.org.au
Christine Kan: christine@apam.org.au
Kath Papas: kath@apam.org.au
Mayella Koroi: mayella@apam.org.au
Emma Shearman: emmashearmann@apam.org.au
Subashini Weir: subashini@apam.org.au
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. The Advisory Group has established a rigorous First Nations Framework and Policies and Accountabilities for APAM.
APAM’s First Nations program includes: an international First Nations Industry Program as part of each Gathering grounded in multigenerational exchange; ongoing Blak Lounges building international First Nations to First Nations networks and market understanding; Blak LAB, seeding and profiling new international First Nations to First Nations collaborative works; capacity building and resources for the sector.
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 AM
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
Jacob Boehme
Prof. Deborah Cheetham AO
Artistic Director, Short Black Opera
Don Christopher
Arts ACT
Sinsa Mansell
Performing Lines TAS / Independent artist
Eva Grace Mullaley
Artistic Director, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
Sustainability
At APAM we are committed to creating a sustainable future and embracing sustainable practices within our everyday operations and at our Gatherings.
In 2021 we delivered two Gatherings – the APAM Gathering at DreamBIG was a hybrid event (IRL and online) and the APAM Gathering at Darwin Festival was a fully online event. Moving forward we are committed to increasing the accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability of APAM Gatherings and the APAM Office program and are planning for all our events to be delivered as hybrid or digital.
Additionally, 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
Accessibility
The APAM website:
APAM is committed to ensuring our website complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by W3C.
You can view the Web Accessibility Initiative website for useful instructions on How to Change Text Size or Colours of this website.
If you have any concerns or questions about the accessibility of our website please feel free to provide us with your feedback via hello@apam.org.au.
APAM Gatherings:
APAM is committed to making APAM Gatherings accessible for anyone. Our program will be accessible as hybrid or digital. For IRL events accessibility information for each venue is listed on our website.
If you have access requirements or queries regarding the accessibility of APAM and/or this website, please contact us directly to discuss.
Contact Us
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APAM – Australian Performing Arts Market
G5, 152 Sturt Street,
Southbank, VIC 3006
AUSTRALIA
Google Maps
+61 03 9947 1020
hello@apam.org.au