The Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) works year-round, and across Australia, to connect contemporary Australian theatre, dance, emerging and experimental art with national and international opportunities.
APAM is a strategic initiative of Creative Australia. It is designed to showcase Australian and New Zealand contemporary dance, theatre, emerging and experimental arts nationally and internationally. APAM has operated for 30 years as a biennial market event in Canberra (1994-1998), Adelaide (1998-2012), and Brisbane (2014-2018).
Creative Australia is pleased to announce that the 2026 to 2030 editions of the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) will be held in Western Australia.
Supported by the Western Australian Government, PAC Australia, the national peak body for performing arts centres, presenters and producers across Australia, has been appointed to deliver APAM under a six-year contract (2025 – 2030).
APAM will take place in Perth, Western Australia in 2026, 2028 and 2030, connecting contemporary Australian theatre, dance, emerging and experimental art with national and international opportunities. This is the first time APAM will be hosted by Western Australia.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Creative Industries (DLGSC) will match Creative Australia’s commitment through a multi-year strategic investment.
APAM facilitates opportunities across a spectrum of international engagement that includes touring, co-commissioning, collaboration and residencies. The key functions of APAM are:
- An APAM Office, open year-round to facilitate visitors to Australia based in Melbourne with a national remit, a small, dedicated staff of advocates is ready to welcome, host and connect international artists, presenters, and partners with contemporary Australian performance. The APAM Office serves as both a physical and figurative welcome desk for inbound visitors and delegations to Australia at anytime in the year.
- Hosting 1–2 annual APAM Gatherings at established festivals around Australia. Gatherings replace the previous biennial market events, increasing the number of APAM events and the diversity of contexts in which to visit performing arts communities around the country.
- Market intelligence for contemporary Australian performance. APAM serves as an Australian-based hub of market intelligence that benefits contemporary Australian performance and its advocates internationally.
For more information go to the APAM website or send an email to the APAM Office: hello@apam.org.au
APAM works year-round, and across Australia, to connect contemporary Australian theatre, dance, emerging and experimental art with international and national opportunities.
