…the spiritual aspect of the arts, the way it connects with people….I am eternally optimistic. Cate Blanchett

With the global spotlight on Australia’s international performers - Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Baz Luhrmann, Toni Collette, Brian Thomson, Richard Tognetti and Geoffrey Rush, amongst others - it’s easy to see how the arts bring inspiration into our daily lives.

These talented artists all began their careers on the stages of Australia’s theatres and concert halls. Some now work in other creative genres, some continue to tread the boards, all contribute to our rich cultural life.

Australia is renowned for our performance, whether it’s circus, theatre, opera, music or contemporary dance with a tradition going back to the early days of European settlement and before it, in the Indigenous arts. Our creative artists inspire, challenge and entertain audiences through their art.

Involvement in the performing arts, on or off the stage, inspires creativity and fosters excellence. It cultivates our future leaders and expresses our vibrant cultural identity.

AMPAG aims to ensure that Australia’s performing arts companies and artists are supported in their quest for excellence, innovation and diversity, and that all Australians are able to experience the arts, regardless of where they live.

We All Play A Part

AMPAG, in association with Live Performance Australia and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance recently launched the new grassroots campaign to make Australians proud that “We All Play a Part” in Australia’s performing arts industry. The campaign highlights the importance of the performing arts to Australia’s future as a strong, vibrant nation.

We all play a part in realising the opportunities in the arts as performers, as teachers, audience members and backstage supporters, as parents of children in school bands and dance classes .
See weallplayapart.com.au for more information on how to be involved.

Follow the stories of how the AMPAG companies and their partners in the arts nurture the talent in Australia.

Statistics

The Australia Council reports that the big picture for Australian arts and culture is a dynamic and growing creation: The size of the arts and related industries is $16.9 billion.

There around 300,000 Australians employed in the arts and culture while a grand total of 3.5 million do paid or unpaid work in the area.

The Council’s 2007 annual report says 8 million adult Australians attend theperforming arts each year and the total attendances including popular music and commercial productions is many millions more.

Participation rates in the arts are climbing rapidly too - they rose from 17 per cent in 2004 to 23 per cent in 2007. Twenty-five per cent of 15-24 year olds undertook some work in cudlutral and leisure activities in 2006-2007. according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (series 6281.0)