Building Stronger Communities

AMPAG member companies are committed to ensuring access to the arts for all Australians, regardless of geographical isolation or other disadvantage. Across the nation, from small country towns to the suburbs of major cities, performing arts companies and venues play their part as a hub for community growth and development.

• 
  State Theatre Company of South
  Australia, 7 Stages of Grieving
• The Australian Chamber Orchestra is opening up to a new audience by developing a virtual orchestra using digital sound and screens in which they can immerse themselves as if on stage with the orchestra.
• In 2010, NAB Dance the Dream workshops will be taking place around Australia thanks to a partnership between The Australian Ballet and National Australia Bank. Entries are open to dance schools throughout Australia and the best entry in each state and territory (plus two wildcards) will be visited by former principal artist with The Australian Ballet and current teacher at The Australian Ballet School, Lynette Wills. NAB will also provide the next best ten applications with a ballet barre. 
• Bell Shakespeare Residencies take Arts Educators into some of Australia’s more remote communities, such as Tennant Creek NT, Thursday Island QLD, Menindee NSW and St Marys TAS where they spend up to two weeks at a time living in the community and working with young people through schools and community centres.
• In the Music for Life program, Musica Viva and the Campbelltown Arts Centre measured how music impacts the health and well-being of south-west Sydney’s seniors. After a successful trial and research period, the program has been rolled out nationally.
• West Australian Symphony Orchestra broadcasts live webcasts of selected concerts in association with iiNet. The webcasts have enabled regional and disadvantaged audiences to view the concert for free over the web.
• Through the Unwaged Performance Program free tickets are provided by Company B Belvoir to unwaged community members to see a matinee performance of each production.
• In Saturday Jam members of the public can create a piece of music with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Federation Square.
• Through Open Doors, the public can observe the training and wardrobe of the Queensland Ballet during school holidays.
• Through Hearts in a Row, the Bell Shakespeare Company and its corporate partners provide hundreds of tickets to disadvantaged groups.
• Sydney Theatre Company supports patrons with disability to attend theatre by offering Audio-described performances, Captioned performances and Auslan Interpreted Performances.

AMPAG applauds the We All Play a Part campaign for reminding Australians that performing arts companies and venues are Building Stronger Communities across the country.

For more information, see the Building Stronger Communities module on the We All Play a Part campaign website.

Accessing the Arts

In addition to these company initiatives - most major performing arts companies and venues participate in the Federal Government’s Companion Card scheme. This scheme allows the card holder to receive a free ticket for their companion / carer when they purchase one for themselves. For information on which arts companies and venues are affiliated with the scheme click here.