23 Sep, 2020

AMPAG is now closed

The AMPAG office is now closed. Any inquires should be forwarded to ampag@ampag.com.au

03 Aug, 2020

Australian Major Performing Arts Group to close

AMPAG to make way for a new unified advocacy voice for the not-for-profit performing arts sector.

01 Jul, 2020

Australian artists launch Play It On in support of the nation’s live entertainment industry 

Luminaries from across Australia’s entertainment industry have announced that they will create and launch Play It On, a unique online concert in support of Australian artists who have lost income as a result of the nationwide shutdown of the live entertainment industry.

01 Jul, 2020

Circus Oz to remain on pause til 2021

We’ve been significantly impacted by coronavirus and the future is still uncertain. That’s why we won’t be returning to our core operations until next year.

01 Jul, 2020

Black Swan Launches Black Swan Home Theatre

Black Swan State Theatre Company is launching its new digital platform “Black Swan Home Theatre”, a company first initiative that will allow us to connect with our audience in new and exciting ways.

25 Jun, 2020

AMPAG welcomes Federal arts package

The Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) warmly welcomes the Prime Minister’s $250 million arts package announcement to help rebuild the sector over the next 12 months.

24 Jun, 2020

Footy and Music unite for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s AFL Club Anthem Project

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has partnered with the Australian Football League (AFL) in a unique musical tribute, the ‘AFL Club Anthem Project’ to celebrate the return of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

24 Jun, 2020

What's next for the Arts?

Much has been written about the challenges facing artists and arts companies as a result of the COVID-19 close down. Behind the scenes, artistic planners and the teams around them have had to reinvent the way they work and create new ideas about presentation and content.

17 Jun, 2020

New Museum project provides jobs for local creative industries

Work on the world-class New Museum for Western Australia has surged ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing local jobs for people in creative and construction industries during tough economic times.

17 Jun, 2020

Creatives work towards rebuild and recovery

Victorian musicians, game developers, filmmakers, writers, galleries and fashion labels are among the first tranche of beneficiaries from the Victorian Government’s Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.

17 Jun, 2020

Unite and Recover for Queensland jobs – next phase of economic recovery announced

The Palaszczuk Government announced, as part of their plan for Queensland’s recovery, they are supporting the arts sector with an additional $22.5 million.

11 Jun, 2020

Creative Recovery For Bushfire-Affected Regions

Victorian communities affected by the summer bushfires will be given a boost through Creative Recovery grants as part of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments’ Community Recovery Package.

10 Jun, 2020

STCSA and ActNow collaborate on new online project, Decameron 2.0

More than 30 of the state’s finest established and emerging artists will collaborate and present a series of isolation-inspired stories in an exciting new online project from State Theatre Company South Australia and ActNow Theatre.

10 Jun, 2020

Musica Viva FutureMakers

Musica Viva Australia announce violinist Harry Ward and chamber music ensemble Partridge String Quartet as the third iteration of its acclaimed leadership initiative, FutureMakers.

05 Jun, 2020

SDC and SSO premieres Cuatro — a four-part online series in response to creativity in isolation

Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company have achieved an Australian first by collaborating to create a unique online series, featuring four of Australia’s celebrated musicians and four of Australia’s leading dancers.

04 Jun, 2020

Bell Shakespeare to stream award-winning documentary Kings of Baxter

Bell Shakespeare has announced that it will stream the award-winning documentary Kings of Baxter, followed by an exclusive live Q&A with the film's director and stars, on Thursday 11 June.

03 Jun, 2020

WAB COVID-19 Update following State Government Phase 3 Announcement

Over the past three months, West Australian Ballet and the Company’s established COVID-19 Response Team have been monitoring and reacting to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

02 Jun, 2020

Govt’s spotlight on arts and entertainment welcome

The foreshadowing of a package for the arts and entertainment industry by the PM is welcome, but the devil will be in the detail, the Greens say.

28 May, 2020

Most Australians Want Government Lifeline for the Creative Industries

New research from The Australia Institute has found that more than one in two Australians agree that the Government should double funding for the Australia Council for the Arts to help support the arts during COVID-19, and the majority of Australians (62%) agree that online streaming services should be subject to similar Australian content obligations as televisions stations are.

28 May, 2020

Outstanding creativity and lifetime achievements celebrated at the First Nations Arts Awards

The recipients of the 2020 First Nations Arts Awards have been announced during an live streamed ceremony.

27 May, 2020

Queensland Theatre urges federal government to care for Australian Artists

Queensland Theatre is not receiving JobKeeper benefits: as a statutory body it is not eligible. However, seeing the benefit of JobKeeper for sustaining businesses, imagine what the scheme could do if it was extended to include the individual artists who work under casual contracts? This is the call of Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director Lee Lewis, as a message to the Federal Government.

27 May, 2020

New stART grant program for Queensland independent artists and artsworkers

A new $500,000 StART grant program aimed at providing support for Queensland’s independent creative practitioners including artists, producers, designers, technicians and other arts workers will soon open.

27 May, 2020

Musica Viva In Schools Online

Musica Viva In Schools is proud to announce that it has taken its program completely online. To support schools during COVID-19 and beyond, and to provide much-needed employment for 60 musicians, the company now offers a full suite of online performances and teaching resources tailored to Australian primary classrooms everywhere.

24 May, 2020

$50 million COVID-19 Rescue and Restart package announced for NSW arts and cultural sector

The NSW Government has announced a $50 million rescue and restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations to ensure the sector continues to make an important contribution to the NSW economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 May, 2020

Australia Council's approach to Sector Recovery

The Australia Council recognises the impact COVID-19 has had on the cultural and creative sectors. This has had an immense flow on effect for the broader community and economy.

21 May, 2020

Update from ASO

With COVID-19 restrictions easing across South Australia, all of us here at the ASO are now turning our sights firmly towards returning to the stage. Obviously there are still many things to consider and, for the time being at least, we won’t be able to return to concert-giving as we knew it before the pandemic.

21 May, 2020

9 in 10 Patrons will return to arts and culture events, but most aren't ready yet

Six government agencies are collaborating with an international team of researchers to track how Australian audiences feel about attending arts and culture events in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

21 May, 2020

ACO Appoints Stefanie Farrands as Principal Viola

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) is delighted to announce the appointment of Australian violist Stefanie Farrands to the position of Principal Viola.

21 May, 2020

Bell Shakespeare to broadcast archived productions exclusively for schools

National theatre company Bell Shakespeare has announced that it will open its archives for a special limited release of production recordings from its recent history, exclusively for schools.

21 May, 2020

QSO to play on in regional Queensland

Australia Pacific LNG has announced the continued support for two of Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s most vital outreach music programs – the Gladstone Enrichment through Music (GEM) program, and the Chinchilla Miles Roma Enrichment through Music (CMR) Initiative.

20 May, 2020

Belvoir Concerts

Belvoir’s first ever online concert will be streaming Streaming from Friday 22 May for one weekend only, Belvoir in Concert presents the best of Belvoir’s songs in a series of specially recorded performances by their original cast members.

20 May, 2020

No Pay? No Way! Live Reading

Sydney Theatre Company has announced the next phase of Sydney Theatre Company Virtual, a live reading of Marieke Hardy’s brilliant adaptation of Dario Fo’s political farce, the hilarious No Pay? No Way!

14 May, 2020

STC and NIDA Pathways Commission Program

Sydney Theatre Company will forge a new artistic partnership with NIDA.

14 May, 2020

Anchuli Felicia King is the 2019 Sydney Theatre Company Patrick White Playwrights Fellow

Sydney Theatre Company has announced that Anchuli Felicia King is the 2019 STC PatrickWhite Playwrights Fellow. It was also announced that this year’s Patrick White PlaywrightsAward recipient is Keziah Warner for her play LuNa.

14 May, 2020

Ongoing coronavirus restrictions lead to nation wide cancellations for Opera Australia

Opera Australia has announced a further round of cancellations due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions that will bring the total number of performances either cancelled or postponed in 2020 to more than 570 across the country.

13 May, 2020

NEXT STAGE Writer’s Program

With thanks to the donors, foundations and organisations who fund Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEXT STAGE Writer’s Program, MTC is pleased to offer two writer-in-residence opportunities beginning in 2020.

13 May, 2020

The University of Queensland and QSO partnership to play on

An important music partnership will continue throughout 2020, as a reflection of commitment to educating Queensland’s musicians of tomorrow.

13 May, 2020

STCSA Artistic residents

State Theatre Company South Australia welcome the expansion of its core artistic team to include Anthony Nicola, Alexis West, and Sasha Zahra.

12 May, 2020

MTC offers sound studio to artists

MTC is pleased to offer their sound studio and the support of a sound technician free of charge, for the benefit of the creative artists in their community. The sound studio at MTC HQ will be available to hire on Fridays for recording, mixing and mastering.

11 May, 2020

Greens pitch economic stimulus package to recreate Australia

The Greens will launch their proposal for an economic stimulus package targeted at engaging the hundreds of thousands of artists and creatives who have lost their jobs during Covid-19, and the thousands more workers who have lost their jobs due to the flow on impact on hospitality and tourism.

09 May, 2020

Artists at Work - a message from Belvoir

It’s both a completely ordinary announcement for a theatre company, and an astonishing one given the circumstances: We have found a way to hire some artists and get back to the job of making theatre.

07 May, 2020

National Assistance Program for the Arts

A group of arts and culture philanthropists have come together to provide a $1.4 million support program for the COVID-19 affected arts sector.

06 May, 2020

Giving Tuesday Australia

Thank you! We raise our hands in loud applause and invite you to share in an ovation for the nation. In all the anguish of COVID-19 is, neighbours, nurses, teachers, grocers, artists and many other Australians are responding selflessly and supporting one another. We want to help shine a spotlight on the positive power of giving every Tuesday this month, as part of the international Giving Tuesday Now campaign.

06 May, 2020

Help ease restrictions faster with the COVIDSafe app

For audiences across Australia, one of the fastest ways to help stop of the spread of COVID-19 is by downloading the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app.

05 May, 2020

Classical concerts launch on ABC iview

Concert halls are closed, but on ABC Classic they are committed to keeping the music playing. They have launched their first-ever classical collection on iview, meaning that you can watch some of the very best recent performances with Australia’s biggest names, in the comfort of your own home.

05 May, 2020

TOP 5 Arts media residency

This year for the first time the ABC is partnering with the University of Melbourne and the Australia Council for the Arts to present TOP 5 Arts, giving a voice to Australia's next generation of Arts practitioners and researchers.

05 May, 2020

Carriageworks appoints voluntary administrators

With great sadness, the Board of Carriageworks determined that it had no choice but to appoint Voluntary Administrators to its corporate entity, Carriageworks Limited ACN 122 628 497.

04 May, 2020

TSO Tune in

The TSO announces the launch of TUNE IN, a free, innovative, fun and interactive learning platform which is suitable for everyone; students, families and life-long learners - ideal for remote, online learning and home-schooling. With activities taking from just a few minutesto half an hour, TUNE IN is the perfect way to learn about the fascinating world of music.

04 May, 2020

OA launches free online streaming platform with Joan Sutherland in the starring role

Unable to perform live while the country is in COVID-19 lock-down, Opera Australia has created another way to share their performances with opera fans, today launching OA | TV: Opera Australia on Demand, a free online streaming service.

01 May, 2020

COVID-19 Impact on Cultural Industries April Snapshot

On 8 April 2020, Culture Counts launched its research initiative regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the cultural industries, this snapshot provides a summary of the responses received so far.

01 May, 2020

Performing Arts quick pivot enriches online education

Term two for schools around the country are shifting into gear, with a blended style of delivery that will include learning via online and interactive technologies, and face-to-face delivery. Performing arts companies' education teams across Australia have been working hard to adapt and develop new digital learning resources and events to support teachers and students' learning and engagement online.

30 Apr, 2020

Sustaining Creative Workers initiative

The Sustaining Creative Workers initiative seeks to support the continued work of Victoria’s independent creative practitioners who have been negatively impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

29 Apr, 2020

OA cancellation of The Secret Garden due to COVID-19 restrictions

Producers Opera Australia and John Frost announced the cancellation of the 25th anniversary tour of The Secret Garden due to government restrictions and public health orders in place to avoid spread of the COVID-19 virus.

29 Apr, 2020

International Dance Day 2020

Celebrate International Dance Day 2020 from the comfort of your home.

28 Apr, 2020

2020 Malcolm Robertson Writers Program Participants

Malthouse have introduced the 2020 participants in the Malcolm Robertson Writers Program.The writers for 2020 are Aran Thangaratnam and Claire G. Coleman.

26 Apr, 2020

SA COVID-19 arts grants support

COVID-19 is already having a significant impact on our society and economy, and people working in the arts and culture sector are particularly feeling these effects.

26 Apr, 2020

Victorian Survival Package To Help Save Arts Jobs

The Victorian Government is helping to save hundreds of jobs in the state’s independent creative and cultural sector while keeping Victorians connected through the coronavirus crisis.

24 Apr, 2020

COVID-19 support for NSW small-medium arts and screen sector

Create NSW has today announced new funding initiatives and the repurposing of existing funding totalling $6.34 million to support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19.

24 Apr, 2020

MSO performs a musical three-day event commemorating ANZAC Day

With 2020 marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has curated a series of online musical events, taking place this weekend.

24 Apr, 2020

Birds of Tokyo to perform with QSO in February 2021

To mark the release of Birds of Tokyo’s brand-new string-laden album, Human Design, two special concerts will be performed with Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

24 Apr, 2020

Art vs dismal science: the economics of Australia’s creative arts sector

The creative arts make a significant contribution to the Australian economy. They directly employed 193,600 Australians in 2019, and contributed $14.7 billion to Gross Domestic Product in 2017–18.

23 Apr, 2020

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra extends suspension of concert season to July 11

Live concerts suspended in line with Government advice; daily YouTube episodes continue, offering specially created content to connect with community

23 Apr, 2020

ABC launches $5m fund to provide urgent support for Australian creatives during COVID-19 crisis

The ABC has launched a $5 million development fund to provide urgent and critical support to independent Australian producers and safeguard local content and creativity during these unprecedented times.

22 Apr, 2020

PAWA Awards nominees

Congratulations to all the nominees for the WA Performing Performing Arts West Australian Awards.

22 Apr, 2020

Deborah Cheetham’s Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to experience a very special online performance of Deborah Cheetham’s Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace.

22 Apr, 2020

TAB launches free online adult ballet classes

The Australian Ballet have launched a series of free online adult ballet classes taught by a professional dance teacher from the company’s much-loved Studios classes. The series will make ballet accessible for all Australians at every level. Everyone is welcome.

17 Apr, 2020

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Virtual Concert Hall

The ASO is bringing you music in a new, personal way during the Coronavirus crisis.

17 Apr, 2020

Queensland Theatre announces PLAY CLUB – taking theatre online and live

Queensland Theatre has unveiled the first free online event of their new digital series, PLAY CLUB.

16 Apr, 2020

Strike A Chord Goes Digital

Musica Viva Australia and their dedicated Strike A Chord team have been looking into new and exciting ways to carry on with the 2020 edition of Strike A Chord.

16 Apr, 2020

STCSA announces Executive Director

The Board of State Theatre Company South Australia has announced Julian Hobba as its new Executive Director.

16 Apr, 2020

ABF NSW emergency assistance

The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW (ABF NSW) have set up an emergency assistance program for professionals in the performing arts.

15 Apr, 2020

Statement from Michael Ullmer AO, Chairman of the MSO

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors has this week directed MSO management to ‘hibernate’ all MSO musicians, as well as 12 administrative staff members. All affected employees will remain employed by the MSO, and the organisation hopes to see them return to their roles as soon as possible. Remaining essential employees will take a 20% reduction in salary.

14 Apr, 2020

ABS survey confirms arts sector hardest hit

ABS survey reveals that Arts and Recreation businesses have been the hardest hit by the pandemic with more than half (53%) ceasing to operate in the past month

09 Apr, 2020

WASO update

In March we made the difficult decision to suspend all WASO concert performances at Perth Concert Hall for six weeks due to the developing situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Based on the current advice we have now extended that suspension to 1 June 2020.

08 Apr, 2020

Announcing new research to support the cultural sector through it’s biggest challenge yet

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the closure and cancellation of every arts event in the country. Not least among the challenges is the extreme uncertainty that we are dealing with.

08 Apr, 2020

Ausdance National calls for a significant increase in the Australia Council’s budget

Following the recent announcement by the Australia Council of its four-year funding grants, Ausdance National is pleased to note that eight dance companies have been successful, providing them with some surety for the next four years.

08 Apr, 2020

NAAE calls for urgent Government action to strengthen the arts during COVID-19

Following the Australia Council for the Arts 3 April funding announcement of four year funding for a diminished number of arts organisations, the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) is calling for a significant increase of the Australia Council’s budget as part of a larger set of stimulus measures proposed by a broad arts industry alliance to save the arts industry from collapse.

04 Apr, 2020

ACO HomeCasts

Australian Chamber Orchestra have unveiled ACO HomeCasts: their digital season that will bring the music and musicians of the ACO directly to you while they are out of the concert hall.