The more than 165 international delegates from 22 countries attending the 7th Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), which opens in Adelaide today, could give Australian artists entrÈe to overseas touring networks and create myriad opportunities for cultural exchange.

This year’s APAM will feature the largest line-up of new Australian productions ever seen by international and national arts presenters and producers at the one time. Coinciding with the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and Adelaide Fringe, the biennial event offers this influential group of arts presenters and festival directors a critical mass of Australian performing arts in the one place.

Thirty-seven leading Australian and New Zealand companies, representing theatre, music, dance and circus arts, will aim to get their work on top of the international buyers’ shopping lists this week. All are hoping to emulate the success of performing arts companies such as Chambermade from previous years.

Victorian-based Chambermade’s participation in APAM 2004 was crucial in its re-entering the international touring market after an absence of more than eight years, says General Manager, Robina Burton. ‘Chambermade’s performance at APAM was very much part of our plan to develop long-term international touring opportunities. APAM provided direct contact with international presenters that we would never have access to in Australia.’ After showcasing Phobia, Chambermade locked in tours nationally and across Europe in 2005, with more to come in 2006. The company also secured US agent, Itzik Becher, head of Aviv Productions.

Australia Council for the Arts CEO Jennifer Bott says: ‘APAM provides the most cost-effective way for international and national presenters to shop for export-ready Australian work. It would take many companies years to procure the contacts and international touring opportunities they can negotiate in just one week at APAM.’

Greg Mackie Executive Director Arts SA says Arts SA is proud to be a key partner in presenting the 7th Australian Performing Arts Market. ‘This is the fifth time Adelaide has hosted the Market (APAM). What always makes APAM in Adelaide exciting is that we host this international event alongside two arts festivals which are amazing in their own right – the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and the Adelaide Fringe.’

The 2006 program includes world premieres and new work by some of Australia’s leading companies and artists such as Lucy Guerin (Vic) with Aether, Australian Dance Theatre (SA) with Devolution, Company B with Page 8 (NSW), para//elo (SA) with Lontano Blu and Honk if You Are Jesus by the State Theatre Company of SA.