Brisbane Powerhouse Wins Australian Performing Arts Market Bid

Minster for the Arts Rachel Nolan and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk have welcomed the announcement that Brisbane has been selected as the next city to host the biennial Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) in what will be a major boost for the city.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said "Securing APAM is a big boost and confirms Brisbane's status as not only an economic hub but also a key arts and cultural centre in the Asia Pacific region.

"The Brisbane Powerhouse is a world-class venue that has supported some amazing exhibitions and artists over the last 11 years and I have no doubt it will make our city proud when it hosts the first APAM in 2014."

Queensland Arts Minister Rachel Nolan said the State Government, through Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, was thrilled to support the Australian Performing Arts Market.

"Securing an event like APAM is great news for the Queensland economy," Ms Nolan said.

"We are cementing our reputation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub, which provides a real boost to tourism, local businesses and jobs.

"This event adds to a growing calendar of cultural events and brings fantastic opportunities for our own artists and arts organisations to gain national and international touring offers."

"We're excited to be part of the future of APAM," says Brisbane Powerhouse Director Andrew Ross. "By aligning APAM with World Theatre Festival, we will provide an opportunity for presenters to see full-length works whilst being part of a vibrant public event that showcases Australia and our region."

The Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) is a biennial performing arts market for artists and programmers from Australia around the world to discover new artists, find new collaborators and meet with fellow professionals. During the 2014-18 events Brisbane Powerhouse will be the hub for activity and performances and events will also be held at the Judith Wright Centre, QPAC and at Queensland University of Technology.

With the existing delivery partnership due to conclude in 2012, the Australia Council initiated discussion with the sector and a scoping study to consider APAM's future.

"Our consultation revealed a desire to extend the focus of APAM on buying and selling to include collaborations, partnerships and long term exchange. We want to ensure the market remains a strong attractor and springboard for international opportunities for Australian arts," says Rose Hiscock, Australia Council's Executive Director of Arts Development.

"Brisbane Powerhouse responded to our tender with a compelling vision for the next three market places."

A significant shift in future APAM will be a greater emphasis on the place of Australian arts and our region in a global context. Future APAMs will be a market, a festival, and an exchange.

"The exchange will go beyond promoting individual performances to international presenters," says Rose. "It will set out to deepen their interest and knowledge in the contemporary performing arts of Australia and its neighbours - not just selling individual shows, but selling Australia and its region."

The 2012 APAM will be held at the Adelaide Festival Centre from Sunday 26 February - Thursday 1 March.

The APAM events have grown quickly since 1998 when the Australia Council partnered with Arts SA to deliver APAM, with Arts Projects Australia producing the event. The markets in Adelaide have developed into incredibly strong events due to the hard work and strong strategic direction from Arts SA, Arts Projects Australia, Adelaide Festival Centre and the Adelaide Festival. This has seen the event grow from 200 participants including 35 international delegates in its first year to 584 participants, with almost 200 international delegates across 26 countries in 2010.

Brisbane Powerhouse is Brisbane City Council's leading arts performance venue helping to deliver a vibrant and creative city.

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