APAM Gathering at RISING Melbourne

Digital: 7-9 June 2023
In Person: 14-18 June 2023
Closing Online Plenary: 20 June 2023

Taking place in Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, the APAM Gathering at RISING Melbourne is a special opportunity to see Australian and New Zealand contemporary performance as pitches and full- length productions presented by RISING Melbourne, participate in formal and informal networking, engage in dialogue and knowledge sharing, and make new national and international connections. A hybrid event the Gathering invites both digital and in person participation.

RISING Melbourne is Victoria’s flagship festival of music, food, art, and culture, under moonlight and is the partner Festival for this year’s Gathering.

The Gathering at RISING will focus on connection as we welcome international presenters, artists, and producers back to Australia for APAM. This is the opportunity to start new conversations and relationships after the holding pattern of the last few years.

Traditional Owner hosting by the Wurundjeri/Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation will ground us in understanding the Country we’ll be meeting together on and the ways in which we will be Gathering.

An important focus for the Gathering will be our sector’s contribution to climate justice, and the need to think and do differently. If the right to practice and engage in culture is indivisible from the experience of being human, what are our responsibilities in the cultural sector in the exercise of those rights? The invitation is to create and hold the space together to examine the contradictions, privileges, and opportunities of cultural exchange across time and place and share the learnings and experiences of doing things differently that these last few years have taught us. The Gathering will be a space of multiple views, engaging in a productive discussion about our shared future.

The program will bring together 400 participants from across the country and internationally to engage in a program of performance, dialogue, and networking.

Join us in person or online. Registrations on sale 14 April.

  • Schedule
  • Venues
  • Heading to Melbourne
  • GATHERING INFO
  • Artists
  • OVERVIEW

Over the course of the APAM Gathering we will be visiting a number of Melbourne venues and organisations. For details on each, including public transport and accessibility information, please see below.


APAM GATHERING VENUES
All APAM Gathering venues are accessible. If you have questions about any APAM Gathering venues, please email hello@apam.org.au

For a complete Google Map of all APAM Gathering venues listed below, please click HERE.

SHOWCASE VENUES (WORKS PRESENTED IN RISING)
All RISING venues are accessible. If you have questions about any RISING venues, please email ticketing@rising.melbourne

APAM Office

G5/152 Sturt St, Southbank

Google Maps

The APAM Office located on Tram Route 1 (stop 18: Grant St) and is a 13-minute walk from Flinders Street Station.

 

+ The outside of the APAM office building

Arts Centre Melbourne: Playhouse and Hamer Hall

100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Google Maps

Trams that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne, ‘Arts Precinct’ stop number 14: Tram 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This tram stop is fully accessible for people who use wheelchairs.

 

+ An industrial style building with a tall, white spire on the roof reachingup int a blue sky with some clouds.

Meat Market

3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne

Google Maps

Meat Market is located on Tram Routes 19 (stop 9: Haymarket), 58 and 59 (stop 14: Royal Melbourne Hospital), and is a 15-minute walk from Flagstaff Station and 18-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station.

 

+

Arts House: North Melbourne Town Hall

521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne

Google Maps

Arts House is served by the 57 tram running along Errol St (stop: North Melbourne Town Hall). It is a 16-min walk from Flagstaff Station.

 

+

Melbourne Fringe Common Rooms

54 Lygon Street, Carlton

Google Maps

Entry to Common Rooms, Trades Hall is via Lygon Street. Common rooms is located close to Tram Routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 (stop: Queensberry St/Swanston St) and is an 8-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station.

 

+ A neoclassical style beige building with 6 columns in the front. The sky is cloudy and there are bare tree branches stretching in front of the right side of the building.

Capitol Theatre

113 Swanston St, Melbourne

Google Maps

The Capitol is served by trams running along Swanston St (stop: City Square, routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72) and Collins St (stop: Melbourne Town Hall, routes 11, 12, 48 and 109). It is a 5-minutes walk from Flinders Street Station.

+

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

25 Collins Street, Melbourne

Website

Google Maps

The Sofitel is located on Tram Routes 11, 12, 48 and 109 at stop 8: Spring Street. It is a 3-minute walk from Parliament Station.

+

Former Richmond Power Station

Unit 490/658 Church St, Cremorne

Google Maps

The Former Richmond Power Station is 3 minutes’ walk from the 78 tram line along Church Street (stop: Howard Street). It is also located a 10 minute walk from East Richmond Train Station (Alamein, Belgrave, Glen Waverley, Lilydale lines), a 14 minute walk from Richmond Train Station (Alamein, Belgrave, Cranbourne, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Lilydale, Pakenham, Sandringham lines) and a 14 minute walk from South Yarra Train Station (Cranbourne, Frankston, Pakenham, Sandringham lines).

+

St Kilda Town Hall

99A Carlisle St, St Kilda

Google Maps

St Kilda Hown Hall is located on tram routes 3, 3a and 16 on Carlisle St (stop: Town Hall).

 

+ Neoclassical style building with light beige exterior. The sky is blue and ther eis green grass and some small shrubs in front of the building

Melbourne Recital Centre

31 Sturt St, Southbank

Google Maps

Melbourne Recital Centre is served by the 1 tram running along Sturt St (stop: Arts Precinct). It is a 10-min walk from Flinders St Station.

 

+ Elevated street view of a large building on a Melbourne street corner at dusk. One side of the building is dark grey, the other side is light beige with honeycomb shaped windows set into the middle of the wall. The building is lit from the inside.

The Third Day

290 Macaulay Rd, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Google Maps

The Third Day is located next to Macaulay Train Station (Upfield line).

+ Warehouse converted into trendy industrial style bar with outdoor area, bench tables and large umbrellas
WELCOME TO MELBOURNE

The APAM Gathering at RISING takes place on the ancestral lands of the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Custodians of Melbourne.

Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria and has a metropolitan area population of approximately 5.2 million people making it Australia’s second largest city.

  • HELPFUL MELBOURNE INFO
  • ACCOMMODATION
  • TRAVEL
  • COVID-19

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Melbourne is serviced by Public Transport Victoria (PTV), a network of trams, buses and trains. A myki card can be used on any tram, bus or train service. The reusable myki card is easy to use. You can add money and purchase myki cards from newsagents, magazine stands, 7-Eleven stores, staffed train station ticket offices, and myki machines at selected stations and stops.

Please note trains, buses and trams do not accept cash payments.

myki cards cost $6 for adults and $3 for concessions/children. You will then need to add a dollar amount to cover each trip, which can vary from $2.3 to $4.6 for a 2-hour fare, with a daily cap of two 2-hour fares.


FREE TRAM TRAVEL

The Melbourne CBD is a Free Tram Zone. The Free Tram Zone includes the area from the iconic Queen Victoria Market, across to Victoria Harbour in Docklands, up to Spring Street and over to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. See this map for the Free Tram Zone.

You don’t need a myki card if you are only travelling in the city’s Free Tram Zone. However, if your journey starts or finishes outside the boundaries of the Free Tram Zone, you must touch on your myki at the reader to make sure you have a valid ticket. The Free Tram Zone signs at tram stops identify the boundaries of the zone.

Please note that the Meat Market and Arts Centre Melbourne nearest tram stops both fall just outside of the Free Tram Zone.

Look out for the City Circle Tram (Route No. 35) which is a free tourist tram, with on-board historic commentary in English, that travels along Flinders, Spring, La Trobe and Spencer streets.

Please visit Public Transport Victoria for more information on public transport options or to plan your journey. Information is also available in other languages.


TAXIS

Taxis in Melbourne are mostly YELLOW but are also sometimes white, silver or black. If taxis are available for hire the light on the roof will usually be ON. If the light is OFF it means the taxi is occupied. After 10pm, taxi drivers can ask for payment before you ride.

Taxi Phone Numbers:

+ Silver Top Taxis: 135 000 or 131 008

+ 13cabs: 13 2227

+ Crown Cabs: 1300 12 13 14

+ Silver Service Taxis: 133 100

City Taxi Ranks:

+ Outside Arts Centre Melbourne

+ Adjacent to Eureka Tower on Riverside Quay, Southbank

+Flinders Street Station on Swanston Street opposite Federation Square

+131 Queen Street between Little Collins and Bourke Streets

+ 190 Bourke Street near the corner of Russell Street

+ 8 King Street between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane


UBER, DIDI & OLA – RIDESHARE APPS

Rideshare apps such as Uber, DiDi and Ola are also available in Melbourne. These free apps are available to download from the App Store or Google Play. Payment is completely cashless and done so via the apps, so you will need to sign up using Visa, Mastercard or Paypal.


E-BIKES & E-SCOOTERS

It is easy to travel actively and sustainably in and around Melbourne by using shared e-bike and e-scooter hire services. Please check carefully the rules for using the services and the relevant road rules in Victoria before riding.


FREE WIFI HOTSPOTS

Free public WiFi is available at various locations around the city. A few options are:

+ Arts Centre Melbourne – 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank

+ Federation Square – Corner Flinders and Swanston streets, Melbourne

+ State Library of Victoria – 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne

+ ‘VicFreeWiFi’ – Available at all Melbourne CBD train stations, the Bourke Street Mall, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, and South Wharf Promenade at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This service requires no login, passwords or other personal data and is ad-free.


EMERGENCY TELEPHONE

In an emergency dial 000.

An operator will connect you to Police, Fire Brigade or Ambulance. There is an interpreting service for callers who speak other languages.

Non-emergency Phone Numbers:

+ Ambulance – 1300 366 141

+ Fire – (03) 9662 2311

+ Police – 131 444

City Police Stations:

+ 202-204 Bourke Street, Melbourne; phone: (03) 9637 1100

 

APAM partners with a number of centrally-located Melbourne hotels and apartments to provide great deals for participants attending the APAM Gathering at RISING in person. All offers are subject to availability and applicable to any room types (unless otherwise specified). Details on these properties and how to book are listed below:

5 STAR ACCOMMODATION

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins**
25 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Rates exclusive to APAM Gathering participants
Eligible Room Type: Superior Room only
Eligible Stay Dates: 12-21 June 2023

To book click HERE.


Lancemore Crossley St
**
51 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
15% off Best Available Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 12-20 June 2023
Booking Code: APAM2023
Note: Book by 14 May 2023

To book click HERE.


QT Melbourne
***
133 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
15% off Best Available Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 12-20 June 2023
Booking Code: APAM2023

To book click HERE.


3-4 STAR ACCOMMODATION

Brady Hotels Jones Lane**
111 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
15% off Best Available Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 10-23 June 2023
Booking Code: APAM2023 [Remove the prepopulated DIRECT code first]

To book click HERE.


Quest Southbank
**
12-16 Kavanagh Street, Southbank VIC 3006
20% off Best Available Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 11-19 June 2023
Booking Code: APAM2023
Note: Book by 31 March 2023

To book click HERE.


TFE Hotels Group:

+ Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders**
88 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

+ Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne**
328 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

+ Vibe Hotel Melbourne**
1 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

15% off Fully Flexible Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 14-18 June 2023
Note: If the hotels are no longer able to offer the special rates, the online links will automatically close and the next available rate will show.

To book click the respective link below with the APAM2023 discount already applied:

+ Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders

+ Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

+ Vibe Hotel Melbourne


The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
**
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
10% off Best Available Rates
Eligible Stay Dates: 10-20 June 2023 (Blackout days may apply)
Booking Code: Click “I have a code” and put APAM2023 in the Corporate ID field, not in the Promo Code field.

To book click HERE [Put The Victoria Hotel Melbourne in the “Where? – Location, hotel name” field].


Veriu Group:

+ Punthill Flinders Lane*
267 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

+ Punthill Little Bourke*
11-17 Cohen Place, Melbourne VIC 3000

+ Punthill Manhattan
57 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

+ Veriu Queen Victoria Market***
91-111 Therry Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Up to 15% off Best Available Rates (including sales rates)
Eligible Stay Dates: Any available dates

Book via one of the following methods:

+ Online: Go to http://www.punthill.com.au and follow the steps below:
– Input one of the 4 hotel names in the “Search for a location” field, add the dates and group size, then click “Search hotels”
– Click “Book Now” button to load the relevant hotel booking page on a new tab
– Click “Add Code” at the top of the booking page, and click “Discount Code” to select “Rate Access/ Corporate Code”
– Input APAM2023 in the blank field under “Rate Access/Corporate Code”, and click “Add” before proceeding to the rest of the booking process

+ Email: info@punthill.com.au [Quote APAM2023 for the special rates]

+ Phone: 1300 964 821 [Quote APAM2023 for the special rates]

 

Legend:

* Travel Sustainable Level 1
** Travel Sustainable Level 2
*** Travel Sustainable Level 3
(Travel Sustainable Badge issued by Booking.com)

VISAS
All international travellers must present a valid and approved travel document (generally a passport) as evidence of their identity and nationality to allow entry into Australia. In addition, all international travellers (with the exception of most New Zealand passport holders) must also obtain a valid visa before travelling to Australia.

Travellers are encouraged to apply for their Australian visa well in advance of their planned arrival date as the processing time can be lengthy. Many will be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) via the Australian ETA app.

If you are having trouble, you can contact your nearest Australian immigration office in your country or visit the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs for further information.

If, as part of your visa application, you require a Letter of Invitation please get in touch with us here and allow 3 business days for us to issue you one.


TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Before you travel, check your destination restrictions and latest entry requirements.

The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force provide advice for people seeking to enter or leave Australia. For more information see: Entering and Leaving Australia.

The Department of Health provides health advice on international travel and COVID-19​.

AIRPORT
Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne. It comprises one international and three domestic terminals, and is located about 30 minutes from the centre of Melbourne.

Visit this link for information on ground transport options from the airport to Melbourne CBD.

Please check back here regularly for updates as necessary.

APAM will monitor advice regarding COVID-19 provided by the Australian Government and relevant state and territory governments.


INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS TO VICTORIA
All international arrivals to Victoria must observe Commonwealth entry requirements.

From 9 September 2022, masks are no longer required on flights travelling to Australia.​

From July 6 2022:
+ People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status

+ People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status

+ Unvaccinated visa holders do not​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.​

Once in Victoria, we recommend you take a rapid antigen test if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the advice in Checklist for COVID cases.


INTERSTATE ARRIVALS TO VICTORIA
There is no vaccination, quarantine, permit, or testing requirement to enter Victoria.

Once you have entered Victoria, if you start to feel any symptoms of COVID-19, we recommend you get a COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT).

Victorian residents who test positive for COVID-19 interstate can return home. While there are no longer any rules in Victoria if you have tested positive, we recommend you follow the advice in Checklist for COVID cases and Checklist for COVID contacts.

You should check COVID-19 information for the state or territory you’re coming from before leaving, to make sure you meet their requirements. See the following information for the individual state or territory.


COVID-19 safety while attending the Gathering
While it is not mandatory to wear a mask indoors, APAM encourages Gathering participants to do so, along with maintaining good hygiene practices (such as hand washing and use of sanitiser) and physical distancing.

  • HOW IT WORKS - IN PERSON
  • HOW IT WORKS - DIGITAL
  • REGISTRATIONS
  • INITIATIVES
  • ACCESSIBILITY
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • CURATORIAL PANEL
  • FAQs

Attending the APAM Gathering in Melbourne in person, you will experience a range of activities including:

SHOWCASE WORKS IN THE FESTIVAL
Curated and presented by RISING, the host festival. Showcase works are ticketed events that are also available to members of the public. Participants at Gatherings will need to purchase tickets to see Showcased works. APAM will ensure a limited number of tickets for all Showcase works are made available to Gathering participants, however capacities are limited so we strongly encourage you to book early.

Read more about these works:

Buŋgul; Gurrumul’s Mothers Buŋgul; Gurrumul’s Grandmother’s Buŋgul; Gurrumul’s Manikay
Presented by RISING, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Consort of the Moon
Genevieve Lacey and Erkki Veltheim

Hide the Dog
Nathan Maynard and Jamie McCaskill; Produced by performing Lines TAS

Jacky
Melbourne Theatre Company

OH DEER!
APHIDS

Sonic Eclipse
Speak Percussion

The Dan Daw Show
Dan Daw Creative Projects

THIS
David Woods

Tracker
Australian Dance Theatre in association with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company

TICKETING FOR SHOWCASE WORKS
Your registration entitles you to a discount booking code to purchase tickets for Showcase works presented by RISING. These must be purchased separately through RISING ticketing.

Once registered for the Gathering, you will be sent an exclusive link to book discounted tickets.

PROFILE
Selected by an international curatorial panel from an expression-of-interest process. Profile sessions offer opportunities for artists, companies and groups to share their repertoire, ideas and ambitions. Profile sessions include:

HERE’S OUR IDEA // for works in development seeking commission or presentation

HERE’S WHAT WE MADE // for productions with a completed premiere

These sessions are presented digitally to ensure maximum accessibility for participants joining us online. Gathering participants attending in real life will also have the opportunity to meet Profile artists in person at an informal networking session and throughout the Gathering.

HERE’S HOW WE WORK // presenters and curators discuss the new ways they are working with artists to present work for audiences and communities. This session is presented as part of the IRL Gathering.

EXCHANGE
Curated by APAM, Exchange includes keynotes, panels, dialogue and networking events. The Exchange program of the APAM Gathering at RISING will be informed by key issues relevant to the international performing arts ecology and the mobility of artists and their work nationally and globally.

LOCAL PLAYERS
Designed to offer participants a window into the contemporary performing arts sector in Melbourne, these events are collaborations between APAM and local organisations.

LATE NIGHT MEETING POINTS
The night owls will have plenty of opportunities to connect over a drink at Late Night Meeting Points, which are free entry and the best place to bump into other Gathering participants and RISING artists.

APAM’s online platform for the Gathering at RISING provides seamless connectivity to fellow participants around the world, and access to the Gathering program live and on demand.

Through our online platform, Swapcard, you will be able to view sessions, network and arrange video meetings directly with fellow participants.

The APAM platform will be live from 5 June so you can start connecting with other participants, check out the program and tailor your event schedule.

In structuring the program, careful consideration has been given to scheduling events across time zones in different international regions and minimising screen fatigue. The program is a daily commitment of between 30-120 minutes for live streamed events across the period 7-9 June.


SHOWCASE WORKS

The Showcase Digital program will feature a curated cohort of artists and companies, illustrating innovative ways of sharing practice. Through the Showcase program you’ll hear directly from the artists and makers as they provide an insight into the works being presented in Melbourne during RISING. Showcase will be scheduled as well as being available on-demand.


PROFILE

Selected by an international curatorial panel from an expression-of-interest process. Profile sessions offer opportunities for artists, companies and groups to share their repertoire, ideas and ambitions. Profile sessions include:

HERE’S OUR IDEA // for works in development seeking commission or presentation

HERE’S WHAT WE MADE // for productions with a completed premiere

These sessions are presented digitally to ensure maximum accessibility for participants joining us online.


EXCHANGE

Curated by APAM, Exchange includes keynotes, panels, dialogue and networking events. The Exchange program of the APAM Gathering at RISING will be informed by key themes relevant to the international performing arts ecology.

There are two categories of registration available for the APAM Gathering at RISING:

1. An In Person registration for attendance at the IRL Gathering being held alongside RISING in Melbourne from 14-18 June 2023. Registration for the In Person program also gives you access to the online Gathering program running on the APAM digital platform from 7-9 June 2023. Once you’ve registered for the Gathering, we’ll email you a link to access discounted tickets to the SHOWCASE works sold by RISING Box Office. Tickets for showcase works in the RISING Program need to be purchased separately to your Gathering registration. The Gathering is programmed around RISING so you can plan your time effectively.

2. A Digital registration for attendance at the online Gathering program running on the APAM digital platform from 7-9 June 2023.

All registration fees are per person. Registrations are strictly non-transferable.

TICKET PRICES (shown in AUD, inclusive of booking fees, per person)

+ Large Australian Organisations and all International Organisations $1,065

+ Small to Medium Australian companies $825

+ Individuals $515

+ Digital Only Access $287

The Gathering will be balanced to ensure an even mix and range of participants, across independent artists, organisations of different sizes, local and international participants, and diverse disciplines. There are limited registrations in each category — register early to avoid missing out!

ABOUT HUMANITIX
APAM uses Humanitix for our ticketing. Humanitix is a not-for-profit ticketing platform that gives events impact, directing 100% of profits from booking fees toward education projects.

BLAK LOUNGE
BLAK Lounge is a designated First Nations-only space that will be open daily at the Gathering. During the duration of the Gathering the lounge will host a series of curated and informal industry conversations and cultural activities with guest industry co-hosts to guide and hold the space alongside the First Nations Lead Associate Producer, Mayella Koroi.

The lounge will be free of charge and a valuable networking resource inclusive of all identifying International Indigenous and First Peoples who are seeking a culturally safe platform for professional development, mentoring and community support. It is an opportunity for participants to build and sustain networking relationships pre and post APAM gatherings.

 

FIRST NATIONS INDUSTRY PROGRAM
Open to First Nations producers and self producing artists, this program brings together a network to share knowledge, expertise and build connections nationally and internationally.

The program will cover topics including multi-artform markets, key hubs for artistic exchange, and First Nations to First Nations networks. Participants will also have the opportunity to hone their market development plans in preparation for the APAM Gathering.

Designed specifically for all levels of skill and expertise and scheduled at times suitable for delegates within Australian, New Zealand and Canadian time zones, the program will be delivered digitally live via Zoom and on our APAM gathering platform Swapcard.

ELIGIBILITY
The First Nations Industry Program is open to First Nations and Indigenous-identifying producers and self-producing artists. Successful participants will be selected from Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Turtle Island/Canada will receive a complimentary registration to attend the APAM Gathering at RISING Festival and can choose to register in person or digitally.

EOIs open – Fri 14 April
EOIs close – Mon 1 May
Notifications – Fri 5 May

Please contact Mayella Koroi with any queries, on mayella@apam.org.au

 

FIRST TIMERS PROGRAM
Navigating a marketplace takes experience, especially as we all learn how best to engage internationally in the digital realm, and adjust to the rapid changes in our sector over the last year. In 2023, APAM is continuing its long-running First Timers program for first time attendees to provide guidance, support and tools to enhance your experience of the APAM Gathering at Darwin Festival.

Through this program First Timers experience deeper engagement in the Gathering and an expanded network, as well as confidence and strategic approaches towards national and international engagement.

The program will include guest speakers on effective digital and in person engagement, market intelligence, and long-term thinking in the current environment, as well as practical workshopping in small groups. First Timers will be part of the Digital Gathering program, so you can be part of it wherever you are located. There will also be an additional session in Melbourne for those attending in person

ELIGIBLITY
First Timers is open to Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and international participants who have an active artistic practice as an Artist/Maker, Producer or Presenter in your own country and have not attended APAM before. A delegate pass must be purchased online by 17 May 2023 in addition to the completion of the EOI form.

EOIs open – Fri 14 April
EOIs close – Wed 17 May
Notifications – Wed 24 May

If you have any queries about First Timers, please email hello@apam.org.au.

The First Nations Industry Program and First Timers are supported by Creative New Zealand, the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney, and Canadian Heritage.

ACCESSIBILITY – IN PERSON
We are committed to ensuring our event is as accessible as possible for all our participants.

All APAM Gathering venues are accessible, and all venues in which SHOWCASE works (presented by RISING) are accessible.

For venue specific information, please head to the Venues Tab to see detailed information for each venue.

Auslan interpreting will be provided for some APAM Gathering events.

We encourage you to call or email us if you have any questions about accessibility or would like to discuss your requirements with us. You can reach us by phone on +61 (0)3 9947 1020 and by email on hello@apam.org.au

 

ACCESSIBILITY – DIGITAL
APAM On-demand content will have captions and some events will be Auslan interpreted. Please check back for full program details in mid April.

For accessibility on Swapcard during the Digital APAM Gathering, we are using a piece of software that layers seamlessly over the event website and all you have to do is choose your ‘accessibility profile’ when you log into the event. The software additionally runs with most screen readers without having to download or integrate other software.

The software was developed side by side with users with disabilities, and is continuously developed in this manner. For each type of disability, the software offers a different set of tools that enables users to modify the site for themselves in the best way possible.

The interface also offers bundled accessibility combinations in the form of Accessibility Profiles. Once you designate the profile that most resembles your needs, you can activate various features simultaneously. The different profiles available are: Epilepsy Safe Profile, Vision Impaired Profile, Cognitive Disability Profile, ADHD Friendly Profile, Blind Users Profile (Screen-readers), Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired).

We encourage you to call or email us if you have any questions about accessibility or would like to discuss your requirements with us. You can reach us by phone on +61 (0)3 9947 1020 and by email on hello@apam.org.au

APAM is committed to the continual improvement of reducing our environmental impacts. Measures APAM has taken to make our events more sustainable include:

+ Offering 100% plant-based food for catered events

+ Limiting printed collateral and using recycled or biodegradable products whenever possible

+ Offsetting partial carbon emissions produced by selected events

In 2023, APAM takes our sustainability efforts further by aiming at making our Gathering at RISING a carbon-neutral event. We partner with Carbon Neutral which helps us measure the Gathering’s carbon emissions consistent with the international standard for carbon offsetting – the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. By changing the way we operate and working collaboratively with our venues and vendors, we are working to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. We will then offset what remains by purchasing accredited carbon offsets from projects verified by internationally recognised standards.

In this initiative, we will also measure and offset the emissions made by our delegates who attend our events in person and/or virtually. As an APAM Gathering participant, you will play an important role in making the Gathering carbon neutral collectively and keeping our planet cool. Here are some practical tips on how you can contribute:

+ Provide your travel and accommodation information in our survey

+ Utilise our event platform Swapcard to share contact details, communicate and organise meetings with other delegates

+ Choose greener flights and travel sustainable accommodation, and consider carbon offset your flights

+ Use public transport/carpool, or take active transport by walking/riding to get to our events

+ Dispose recyclable/food waste in recycling/organic waste bins provided

+ Travel light and consider what are necessary to bring to our events:
Do’s: BYO water bottle/cup and tote/carry bag; umbrella/raincoat
Don’ts: Single-use plastics; printed collateral

APAM’s curatorial panel have selected the works featured in Profile sessions within the APAM Gathering at RISING. The panel have also contributed to and advised on other Gathering programs and events, including determining priorities for international visitor invitations.

The APAM curatorial panel for the Gathering at RISING is:

+ Caroline Bowditch (Australia)
+ Kyu Choi (South Korea)
+ Wesley Enoch (Australia)
+ Eva Grace Mullaley (Australia)
+ Joyce Rosario (Canada)
+ Tama Waipara (Aotearoa/New Zealand)
+ Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek (Australia)

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are Gatherings?
The next APAM Gathering will be in June 2023 alongside RISING in Melbourne. In delivering Gatherings, APAM works alongside existing festivals so that showcase works are authentically experienced by participating delegates: in full length, with full production values and with real audiences. In addition to full length showcasing, APAM Gatherings include profile opportunities for Australian and New Zealand artists and companies, visits and events hosted by local organisations that profile the place and artistic practices of the Gathering location and an exchange program of discussions, a summit and hosted networking. The objective of Gatherings is to enable industry participants to form deep, collaborative and reciprocal relationships with national and international colleagues.


If my organisation purchases a digital registration, am I able to share it with my colleagues?

No, all tickets are issued to a single ticket holder and each participant will need their own profile and email. Registrations are strictly non-transferable.


I’ll be attending the Gathering at RISING in person and I’m looking forward to seeing festival shows. How do I arrange my tickets?

Your APAM In Person registration entitles you to discounted tickets for works presented in the SHOWCASE program as part of RISING. These tickets must be purchased separately through RISING ticketing.


I’ll be attending the Gathering in person and I’m keen to meet and network with international participants who won’t be travelling to Melbourne. How does that work?

In Person registrations includes full access to the digital Gathering program, so you will be able to participate in all conversations and activities taking place online and network with all participants.


When will I get the full list of participants?

All registered participants will have access to the full list of participants in early June. This list will then be live, updating automatically as additional Participants register. You will have access to the APAM Digital Platform from 5 June.


I’ve purchased an IRL registration but I’m no longer able to attend. What do I do?
APAM offers a partial refund of 50% on the In Person ticket price for Gathering at RISING if a request is received before 24 May 2023. There are no refunds for Gathering at RISING for cancellations received on or after 24 May 2023, including non-arrivals. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing to .

There are no refunds on Digital tickets.

Unless required by law you will not be entitled to a refund if you or a member of your booking party attends our event despite you testing positive or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or in the event that you are unwell prior to the event.


I have another question that’s not included here.

Contact the APAM Office by emailing hello@apam.org.au with any questions – we’re here to help!