21 Jan, 2020

Arts Education: The Banksia Initiative and bush fire recovery

Arts informed approaches provide powerful methods to restore individual, community and national wellbeing during and after a disaster. Participatory arts-based methods strengthen social support and help people to build critical hope.

16 Jan, 2020

Rick Heath announced as new Executive Director of Black Swan

After an extensive national and international recruitment process, Black Swan State Theatre Company of Western Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Heath as the Company’s new Executive Director.

15 Jan, 2020

HECATE : Bell Shakespeare and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

Bell Shakespeare will be working with Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company on HECATE. Commissioned by Perth Festival and opening 5 February at Subiaco Arts Centre, this is the first large-scale Shakespeare production entirely in Noongar.

14 Jan, 2020

2020 Andrew Cameron Fellowship and Writer's Lab

Belvoir announce both their new Andrew Cameron Fellow and the participants of their inaugural Writers’ Lab supported by the Oranges & Sardines Foundation, for early-career playwrights in 2020.

19 Dec, 2019

Bridget Balodis - Director in Residence at Malthouse

Bridget Balodis will be joining the Malthouse artistic team from 2020 as Director in Residence – contributing to the company’s programming, development & artistic consultation. As well as directing next year's #KBOXMH20 by fellow Artist in Residence Ra Chapman.

19 Dec, 2019

Bendat and Burt build future for West Australian Ballet

Major gifts from the Bendat Family Foundation and the Wright Burt Foundation will create long term opportunities for the next generation of ballet dancers and become the founding gifts of West Australian Ballet’s newly established Endowment.

19 Dec, 2019

Celebrating Richard Mills

Victorian Opera, Melbourne Recital Centre, and Orchestra Victoria partnered for a special one-night-only concert, Celebrating Richard Mills, to honour his musical achievements and tremendous contribution to the Australian music scene.

19 Dec, 2019

Telstra Ballet Dancer Award

Congratulations to Jill Ogai, winner of the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award, and Marcus Morelli, who took out his second People's Choice Award.

19 Dec, 2019

STC resident artists

Supported through the generosity of STC donors, Sydney Theatre Company’s Resident Artist program emphasises new writing, diverse voices and a collaborative creative environment that encourages artistic excellence.

19 Dec, 2019

Taking Sydney's youngest musicians to new heights at SSO Parramatta Workshop

90 students from 58 different schools came together for a three-day pop-up music camp at our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta.

19 Dec, 2019

Announcement - Jodi Glass

State Theatre Company of South Australia CEO, Jodi Glass, has announced she is leaving the Company after a three-year stint in the role.

19 Dec, 2019

Finalists announced for Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2020-21

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the finalists for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award (QPDA) 2020–21. Artists Anna Loren, Maddie Nixon and Steve Pirie have been selected from the record-breaking field of 221 entries.

19 Dec, 2019

WASO announces Emerging Conductor participants

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the eight participants in the inaugural Emerging Conductors program for 2020.

18 Dec, 2019

2019 Sydney Theatre Awards

Nominations have been announced for the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2019

18 Dec, 2019

Simone Young announced as the next Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Simone Young AM will be the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor from 2022. In the 12 months prior to her taking up the role, Young will be the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor Designate.

12 Dec, 2019

Lissa Twomey appointed Executive Director, Bangarra

Bangarra Dance Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of Lissa Twomey, a prominent and experienced creative and operational leader, to the position of Executive Director of Australia’s premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company.

11 Dec, 2019

Jane Hansen appointed MTC Chair

Jane Hansen has been announced as the new Chair of Melbourne Theatre Company. She succeeds Terry Moran AC who steps down at the end of 2019 after completing a very successful six-year term.

11 Dec, 2019

Circus Oz has announced exciting new artistic plans

Australia’s national circus company, Circus Oz has announced exciting new artistic plans that will reposition the company within the new National Performing Arts Partnerships Framework announced at the Meeting of Cultural Ministers in October 2019.

11 Dec, 2019

2019 John Bell Scholarship

Bell Shakespeare has announced the recipients of the 2019 John Bell Scholarship, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young actors from regional Australia to learn from some of Australia’s most respected actors, directors and educators.

09 Dec, 2019

Federal Public Service Restructure

We are deeply concerned that the Prime Minister’s announced public service restructure devalues the $111 billion arts industry that is so important in the lives of everyday Australians. It is the arts that tells their stories, through music, theatre, dance and the myriad of performing artforms, and connects Australians with other cultures, both past and present, deepening understanding and creativity. These are essential attributes for today’s Australia, building a better future in education, social cohesion and national identity.

27 Nov, 2019

MSO celebrates music for all

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will introduce a $20 ticket price for children aged under 18, for a range of concerts in Season 2020. This new initiative will ensure even the youngest music lovers can enjoy the best in classical music and world-class MSO performances.

26 Nov, 2019

New report reveals positive impacts of arts and culture on aging, health, learning, jobs and loneliness

New report reveals impacts of arts and culture on aging, health, learning, jobs and loneliness. The evidence is clear: when people engage in cultural or creative activities, they generally have better educational outcomes, are less lonely, are healthier both physically and mentally, and enjoy a happier and healthier life in old age.

22 Nov, 2019

Queensland Symphony Orchestra welcomes new Board member

On the back of Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s (QSO) triumphant gala on Saturday evening which was livestreamed globally in a farewell tribute to outgoing Music Director Alondra de la Parra, Chair Chris Freeman has announced that one of the most experienced arts leaders in the country will join the Board.

21 Nov, 2019

An Opera Set in Your Home

Opera Queensland premieres an experimental Augmented Reality (AR) experience created in partnership with Google’s Creative Lab.

21 Nov, 2019

Giving Attitude - Research survey

Creative Partnerships Australia’s new research survey indicates support from the private sector for the arts is on the rise and is a significant contributor alongside government support and earned income to substantially grow philanthropy and build sustainable arts organisations in Australia.

21 Nov, 2019

Create NSW and Sydney Dance Company team to search for Beyond The Studio Fellow

The search is on across the State for mid-career dance leaders to come forward for a new professional development opportunity being offered by Create NSW in partnership with Sydney Dance Company (SDC).

14 Nov, 2019

WASO emerging conductors

Every year the West Australian Symphony Orchestra nurtures a new generation of young and emerging artists, assisting them in finding their pathway into the profession and helping to secure a bright future for music in Australia.

13 Nov, 2019

Vale John Curro AM MBE

The Adelaide, Melbourne, Queensland, Sydney, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras were saddened to hear of the passing of John Curro AM MBE on Wednesday 6 November 2019.

13 Nov, 2019

MTC joins forces with Virtual School Victoria to deliver ground-breaking VCE courses

In a first for arts education in Victoria, VCE Theatre Studies will be available online in 2020, and VCE Drama in 2021, thanks to a partnership between Melbourne Theatre Company and Virtual School Victoria (VSV).

13 Nov, 2019

Aurora Energy and TSO announce new partnership

Tasmania’s leading energy retailer to support flagship TSO community program AccessTix.

07 Nov, 2019

Springboard - supporting innovation in contemporary circus

Backflip into the opportunity of a lifetime with Springboard – a new program by Melbourne Fringe and Circus Oz aimed at supporting innovation in contemporary circus.

06 Nov, 2019

Ian Michael wins 2019 CHASS Australia Future Leader Prize

Congratulations to Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA resident artist, Ian Michael for winning the 2019 CHASS (Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences) Australia Prize for a Future Leader in Melbourne on 30 October.

06 Nov, 2019

Finalists announced for Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2020-21

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the finalists for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award (QPDA) 2020–21. Artists Anna Loren, Maddie Nixon and Steve Pirie have been selected from the record-breaking field of 221 entries.

01 Nov, 2019

Opera Queensland: The need for integrity and deep engagement with regional and remote communities

Opera and rugby league have a lot in common, especially in Queensland. Just as the sport draws on grassroots supporters and talent across the state to unite fans and nurture the next generation of playmakers, so too does the state’s opera company.

01 Nov, 2019

On the Road again

WASO is hitting the road this month with a touring party of over 70 musicians to share a complete live symphony orchestra experience in Esperance and Albany.

31 Oct, 2019

Knowledge Ground: 30 years of sixty five thousand

An immersive installation experience celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bangarra Dance Theatre.

31 Oct, 2019

New Appointments

Queensland Theatre appoints Lee Lewis as the company’s new Artistic Director, WASO appoints new Assistant Conductor, Thaddeus Huang while Soprano Sara Macliver joins their board and Lyndon Terracini AM, Artist Director to OA, has renewed his contract with OA to 2023

30 Oct, 2019

Students celebrate Italian Language Week with Verdi’s Macbeth

This year’s language week theme was Italian on stage and Italian Consul of Perth, Dr. David Balloni hosted more than 100 Italian language studies high school students and their teachers at West Australian Opera's performance of Macbeth.

30 Oct, 2019

What's on over the festive season

As Christmas approaches, AMPAG members have a feast of delights on offer.

30 Oct, 2019

OA on the road- a snapshot of 2018-2019 National Tour of Madama Butterfly.

Throughout the company’s history Opera Australia has committed to taking their productions far and wide. Since 1996 OA has toured to 120 different locations across metropolitan and regional Australia.

25 Oct, 2019

Nationhood, National identity

The alliance of Performing Arts Peak organisations' joint submission to Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee Inquiry into Nationhood, National identity and Democracy highlights the valuable contribution the arts can make to social cohesion and national identity . It argues we can do more to strengthen social cohesion and national identity by building the role of the arts into future policy initiatives.

25 Oct, 2019

Valuing the Arts – highlights from the Australia Council’s year in review

The Australia Council’s investment in the arts in 2018-19 supported the creation of more than 9,500 new Australian works and compelling arts experiences that reached more than 22 million people across the globe.

24 Oct, 2019

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra tours China and South Korea

More than 20 years after its ground-breaking Asian tour, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) takes 66 musicians to China and South Korea.

23 Oct, 2019

Melbourne and Singapore Symphony Orchestras joint performance- a first.

This first side-by-side musical collaboration between the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Orchestra took place at the opening of the Paya Lebar Quarter in Singapore.

23 Oct, 2019

MSO announces Lu Siqing as Artistic Ambassador

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Board is proud to announce the appointment of Chinese superstar violinist Lu Siqing as Artistic Ambassador for the MSO.

23 Oct, 2019

New Principal partner joins BSSTC

At Black Swan, the State Theatre Company of WA’s season launch, Fortescue Metals Group was announced as the Company’s new principal partner, by the Minister for Culture and the Arts Hon David Templeman MLA.

23 Oct, 2019

2019 World Ballet Day

Wednesday 23 October was World Ballet Day 2019, featuring life behind the scenes of leading dance companies The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and The Royal Ballet via a live stream on Facebook and YouTube.

23 Oct, 2019

Circus Oz in Colombia

Circus Oz's Model Citizens has presented two seasons in Colombia plus dedicated schools shows and circus workshops with local kids.

22 Oct, 2019

2019 Patrick White Playwrights Award and Fellowship

Sydney Theatre Company is inviting applications from Australia’s talented playwrights for the 2019 Patrick White Playwrights Award and expressions of interest for the Patrick White Playwrights Fellowship.

21 Oct, 2019

AMPAG Tracking changes in corporate sponsorship and philanthropy 2019 report

Gross earnings from sponsorship, donations and fundraising events rose 13.5 per cent on 2017 earnings while costs rose 14.4 per cent. This resulted in $101.7 million in total net earnings which represented 13.2 per cent growth on 2017 results.

18 Oct, 2019

His Excellency Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X of Yogyakarta visits the MSO

His Excellency Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, visited the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s headquarters for a special cross-cultural concert featuring MSO musicians and Indonesian dancers and renowned Indonesian choreographer, Didik Nini Thowok.

18 Oct, 2019

2020 season overview

As 2019 draws to a close, there are some tantalising hints about what we can expect for the 2020 season.

18 Oct, 2019

Creating future classics

The WASO Song Book, a commissioning program founded in 2010 by Janet Holmes à Court AC, provides opportunities to nurture musical careers and create new musical works with the ambition they may become the classics of tomorrow.

18 Oct, 2019

Queensland Ballet Academy Goes Global With Prix De Lausanne Partnership

Queensland Ballet Academy this month announced a new partnership with the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland in the lead up to its new, purpose-built facilities opening in 2020 at Kelvin Grove State College.

14 Oct, 2019

National Performing Arts Partnership Framework Announced

The meeting of Cultural Ministers has agreed on a new National Performing Arts Partnership Framework to replace the Performing Arts (MPA) Framework.

11 Oct, 2019

AMPAG response to Independent Artist Open Letter

We are at a very serious crossroads in the sector- and respect and share the real anguish that exists across the arts ecology. While everyone in the Major Performing Arts companies agrees that the situation for the small to medium arts is of grave concern, it needs to be considered within an overall context of declining government support and strategic development for the arts across this country. It is the overall situation that needs to be addressed with increased support across the board – not by destroying one part of the sector in a bid to help the other survive. AMPAG and its members have and continue to actively advocate for increased Australia Council funding. The arts in Australia is a broad ecology, with outstanding work happening at all levels.

09 Oct, 2019

MSO Finalist in 2019 Melbourne Awards

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has been nominated in 2019 Melbourne Awards, presented by the City of Melbourne, for its annual Sidney Myer Free Concerts presented in association with the University of Melbourne.

02 Oct, 2019

Orchestra Victoria launches The Richard Bonynge Orchestral Fellowship

The Richard Bonynge Orchestral Fellowship is a pre-professional year designed to provide training for musicians in the accompaniment of opera and ballet performances.

02 Oct, 2019

MSO announces 2020 Cybec Assistant Conductor for Learning & Engagement

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Sophie Galaise is proud to announce Nicholas Bochner as the MSO Cybec Assistant Conductor for Learning and Engagement for 2020.

25 Sep, 2019

STC Connected program wins Humanitarian Award

Congratulations to STC’s Connected program with ‘Best Project’ at the STARTTS Humanitarian Awards. The awards acknowledge individuals and organisations making an exceptional positive contribution towards refugee issues in NSW.

20 Sep, 2019

Queensland Theatre welcome new Artistic Director: Lee Lewis

After more than six years of artistic vision Griffin Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Lee Lewis will depart to take the helm at Queensland Theatre, leaving behind a lasting and powerful legacy.

19 Sep, 2019

Soprano Sara Macliver joins WASO Board

West Australian Symphony Orchestra announces Sara Macliver to join the Board of Directors.

18 Sep, 2019

WASO announces the appointment of new Assistant Conductor, Thaddeus Huang.

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of new Assistant Conductor, Thaddeus Huang.

11 Sep, 2019

There’s nothing small about the 2020 chamber music season

The upcoming chamber music season promises a heady mix of exotic destinations, swirling colour, mystique, celebration and dazzling talent in a selection of bold programs that are awe-inspiring in their range and imagination.

11 Sep, 2019

National Chamber Music Championship 2020

To celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2020, Musica Viva Australia is proud to announce the introduction of a National Chamber Music Championship (NCMC) for secondary-school-aged students with support from Creative Victoria and in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).

11 Sep, 2019

The Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence Awards

Congratulations to Sophie Galaise, Managing Director of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, on being named one of The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence for 2019.

11 Sep, 2019

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra set to tour to China and South Korea

More than 20 years after its ground-breaking Asian tour, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is set to take 66 musicians to China and South Korea in October 2019.

10 Sep, 2019

Arts and Cultural Funding - Ten Year Picture shows decline in recurrent investment

Public expenditure on cultural activity per capita has dropped by 4.9 per cent over the period 2007 to 2018, and cultural expenditure at 0.71 per cent of GDP ranks Australia 26th out of 33 countries, well below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members's average.

05 Sep, 2019

ASO advocates opening late September

ASO Advocates are a group of people aged 18-30 who are empowered to represent the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. They work together over the course of the year to drive and inspire engagement with orchestral music and the arts

04 Sep, 2019

Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards 2019

Telstra has announced the six nominees for 2019 awards- and celebrates its 35 year partnership with The Australian Ballet.

04 Sep, 2019

Vale Jane Mathews AO

Jane Mathews AO, whose passing was announced on Sunday September 1, was a visionary and generous supporter of Musica Viva Australia over several decades. Musica Viva invited former CEO Mary Jo Capps AM to pay tribute to Jane’s wide-ranging legacy.

04 Sep, 2019

Chinchilla Miles Roma Initiative

Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians will travel to Roma, Miles and Chinchilla meeting the community, work-shopping with students and teachers and playing great music in October.

04 Sep, 2019

Creativity Connects Us – Australia Council’s new vision for the arts

The Australia Council has announced its new vision for a creatively connected Australia where creative enterprise is entrenched across society, industry and government as the fuel that ignites our social, cultural and economic success. 

04 Sep, 2019

New Breed 2019

Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks, in conjunction with The Balnaves Foundation, announce four Australian choreographers commissioned to create works for the acclaimed New Breed initiative that supports Australia’s next generation of choreographers.

04 Sep, 2019

Wesfarmer Arts Young Artists 2019/2020

Congratulations to the new Wesfarmers Arts Young Artists for 2019 and 2020. WAO looks forward to working with Sopranos Chelsea Burns and Brianna Louwen, mezzo-soprano Chelsea Kluga, baritones Matthew Dixon and Lachlann Lawton, pianist Adrian Soares and conductor Leanne Puttick through this initiative.

04 Sep, 2019

Professor David Shirley joins Black Swan Board

Black Swan State Theatre Company is has announced the appointment of Professor David Shirley to the Company’s Board of Directors.

04 Sep, 2019

Belvoir announce 2019 Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellow

Exceptional playwright and Trawlwoolway, Pakana/Palawa man from Lutrawita/Tasmania, Nathan Maynard has been announced as the 2019 Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellow. The Fellowship is an evolution of the Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright Award, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia.

28 Aug, 2019

Concert for Life

On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2019, some of Australia’s leading musicians will come together for a special concert to raise funds for Indigenous suicide prevention, presented in association with Suicide Prevention Australia.

28 Aug, 2019

What is the True Value of Arts and Culture?

Join Director Chris Saines CNZM (Queensland Art Galley / Gallery of Modern Art) in a panel discussion with Li Cunxin AO (Queensland Ballet), Amanda Jolly (Queensland Theatre), Patrick Nolan (Opera Queensland), Craig Whitehead (Queensland Symphony Orchestra) AND John Kotzas (Queensland Performing Arts Centre).

28 Aug, 2019

TSO announce Wayne Neilson as winner of inaugural ‘Heyward Prize’ for Tasmanian composers

The TSO announce composer Wayne Neilson as the winner of the inaugural Heyward Prize for Tasmanian composers, for his work From Valley to Summit.

28 Aug, 2019

Ballet Under The Stars Comes To The Latrobe Valley

The Australian Ballet’s free outdoor gala event Ballet Under the Stars will visit the Latrobe Valley for the first time, staging a full-length performance of the much-loved classic Giselle.

28 Aug, 2019

Sherry Duhe appointed as Chair of West Australian Ballet

West Australian Ballet has had a strong history of female leaders including Founder and first Artistic Director Kira Bousloff who established the Company in 1952 (and led the Company until 1969). Now in 2019, the Company is proud to have appointed its first female Chair.

23 Aug, 2019

Kate Mulvany’s The Harp in the South takes out three awards including highest honour

Playwright Kate Mulvany’s epic and acclaimed stage adaptation of the Australian classic The Harp in the South has won the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre, the Stage Category and the highest honour of the Australian Writers’ Guild’s annual AWGIE Awards, the 2019 Major Award.

23 Aug, 2019

New MVA partnership provides top music training

Musica Viva In Schools is partnering with The CASS Foundation on a new teacher professional development initiative to support music education and teacher capacity in disadvantaged schools throughout Victoria’s south-west in 2019.

22 Aug, 2019

TSO's Australian Composer’s School marks its second year

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s Australian Composers’ School is a unique opportunity to develop orchestral composition skills with one of Australia’s foremost symphony orchestras and forms an integral part of the TSO’s Australian Music Program.

21 Aug, 2019

Assistant Conductor of the MSO joins Welsh National Opera as first Conductor in Residence

Welsh National Opera is pleased to welcome Tianyi Lu as the first Conductor in Residence. This follows an open call for aspiring conductors to apply for the post and an audition process with WNO Orchestra earlier this year.

21 Aug, 2019

WASO wins Excellence in Music Education Award

Winners have been announced across 11 national categories and eight state categories of the 2019 Art Music Awards.

21 Aug, 2019

Brett Clegg appointed Chair of Sydney Dance Company

Australia’s leading contemporary dance company today announced that the Chair of Sydney Dance Company, Karen Moses, will be stepping down after 3 years in the role. Brett Clegg, currently the Deputy Chairman, will take the role of Chair.

21 Aug, 2019

Esteemed leaders in philanthropy, business and culture honoured at 2019 Creative Partnership Awards

Seven exemplary individuals from Australia’s philanthropic, business and arts sectors were honoured at the 2019 Creative Partnerships Awards in Melbourne.

16 Aug, 2019

Government Arts Funding Update

This month the Meeting of Cultural Ministers released its report on total arts and cultural government funding 2017-18 with capital expenditure driving growth. Separately, the Australia Council for the Arts has invited 162 small-to-medium-sized arts companies to make full applications for its four-year funding grant program with over 250 other organisations now consider their options.

16 Aug, 2019

Welcome new AMPAG Chair and Deputy

We are delighted to welcome Mary Jo Capps AM as the incoming Chair of AMPAG and Elizabeth Jameson as Deputy Chair.