The biennial event has been held for 30 years but has never been held in Western Australia before. The Western Australian Government is supporting the Perth iterations to the tune of $1.5 million, with $250,000 in funding to provided each year over six years.
Previous editions of the Australian Performing Arts Market have been held in just three cities – it was resident in Canberra between 1994 and 1998, in Adelaide between 1998 and 2012 and in Brisbane between 2014 ad 2018.
The event connects the Australian performing arts community with national and international opportunities. While it hasn’t been held in its original format since pre-pandemic, APAM gatherings have been held at various cultural festivals in recent years.
“Western Australia is proud and excited to host this wonderful event for the first time,” said WA’s culture and arts minister, David Templeman.
“Hosting the event will not only showcase WA’s best artistic offerings and its unique cultural identity but also highlight the infrastructure available to national and international producers.
“The Cook Government’s $250,000 per annum contribution over six years is an investment in the performing arts industry that will provide a legacy for the culture of Perth city for years to come.
“This major investment will deepen Western Australia’s arts and cultural profile and will create significant opportunities for international exchange by hosting one of the largest performing arts markets in the Asia-Pacific region, aligning with our Asia engagement strategy.”
APAM has grown from 200 participants to more than 1,200 attendees over its existence to date.
“Our research underscores APAM’s significance within the Australian performing arts community, as a place to connect with national and international colleagues; to engage in conversations about artistic practice; build awareness of their work; find opportunities to buy, sell, exchange, and collaborate; and to keep up to date with current trends in the performing arts,” said Adrian Collette AM, CEO of Creative Australia, of which APAM is a strategic initiative.
APAM will be held in Perth in 2026, 2028 and 2030.
