From 22 to 26 February 2016 all eyes will once again be firmly fixed on Brisbane as the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), the leading biennial industry event for contemporary performing arts from Australia and New Zealand, unfolds.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Brisbane Powerhouse is proud to be the home for APAM 2016, which is the only industry event in Australia to provide international and national presenters, agents and influencers with access to live works by Australian and New Zealand artists across genres and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts.
“APAM 2016 will feature 43 outstanding Australian and New Zealand companies delivering 28 exciting showcases, including full-length productions and excerpts, as well as 15 work in development pitches,” said Mr Stewart.
Australia Council for the Arts CEO Tony Grybowski said there were a number of good news stories from APAM 2014 and he was confident many of those presenting in 2016 would achieve similar success.
“It was exciting to see one of our leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts organisations Black Arm Band’s full-length work Dirtsong secure a six city tour to China in August 2014 as well as a six performance tour in Singapore and Taipei in August this year and a Canadian tour as a result of APAM 2014,” said Mr Grybowski.
Highlights of the 2016 Program include: Ensemble Offspring’s The Secret Noise, William Yang’s The Story Only I Can Tell, Roslyn Oades & Collaborators showcase Hello, Goodbye and Happy Birthday, Northern Rivers Performing Arts’ Three Brothers, and Back to Back Theatre’s new large-scale theatrical work, Lady Eats Apple.
Side Pony Production and The Last Great Hunt will showcase Wild Wild Love, Nicola Gunn / Sans Hotel present Piece For Person and Ghetto Blaster, a highlight of the Sydney Festival, Marrugeku presents Cut The Sky, and the borders between theatre and reality blur in The Farm’s Cockfight.
Established in 1994 by the Australia Council for the Arts, APAM showcases and promotes a thriving, diverse national performing arts sector and stimulates ongoing dialogue and exchange between Australian producers and International presenters.
It provides Australian artists and arts organisations a unique opportunity to perform live to an international and national industry audience, introduce the artistic creator and increase awareness for their company and body of work, with the ultimate aim of securing national and international tours.
APAM 2016 will be presented by the Australia Council in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse and coincide with WTF, Brisbane Powerhouse’s contemporary performance event and run 22 – 25 February. For more information, visit: www.performingartsmarket.com.au for details.
Image: William Yang’s The Story Only I Can Tell – photo courtesy of Performing Lines