Creative Australia has announced the recipients of its inaugural Asia Pacific Arts Awards, celebrating the artists, collectives, and organisations engaged in creating and sharing work across the Asia Pacific.
The recipients were announced earlier this week during a ceremony at Paramatta’s Riverside Theatres in a celebration of culture including art and cuisine from across the region.
The awards are being held for the first time by Creative Australia as an initiative of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy Revive.
“Engagement with our region isn’t only about the physical trade in goods. It’s also about sharing our creativity with the region, engaging with creators throughout the region, and most importantly creating new work together,” said Minister for the Arts Tony Burke.
The awards cover five categories, including Impact, Innovation, Inspire (Individuals/Collectives/Groups), Inspire (Organisations) and Connect. Recipients of the 2024 Asia Pacific Arts Awards include:
Priya Srinivasan (Impact)
Srinivasan’s work, rooted in Indian classical dance, shines a spotlight on the experiences of women from minority communities. She also directs innovative projects that bring together First Nations and Asian Australians.
Hyphenated Projects (Innovation)
Situated in a suburban house in Sunshine West, Hyphenated Projects support artists who operate across cultural, social and geographic hyphens, including through an artist residency and development programs.
Club Até (Inspire – Individuals/Collectives/Groups)
Club Ate (Justin Shoulder and Bhenji Ra) works across video, performance, events and activations, collaborating with members of the queer Asia Pacific diaspora in Australia and across the Oceania.
QAGOMA, Asia Pacific Triennial APT 10 (Inspire – Organisations)
QAGOMA’s 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10)?included 69 projects by more than 150 artists and collaborators drawn together from over 30 countries.
OzAsia Festival, 2021 – 2023 (Connect)
Under Artistic Director Annette Shun Wah’s leadership (2020-2023), OzAsia Festival amplified Asian and Asian Australian artists and experiences, centring these voices at the heart of festival programming.
“To the many incredible diaspora artists and others engaging with the region, both within Australia and internationally – we see you,” said Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette AM.
“We recognise and celebrate the people and organisations that have worked to deepen connections between Australia and regional neighbours through the power of their creative practice.”
For more information about the Asia Pacific Arts Awards, the recipients and the full list of finalists, visit: www.creative.gov.au for details.
Image: OzAsia Festival Moon Lantern Trail – Hong Kong Dragon Lantern – photo by Xplorer Studio