DAY 1: TODAY
REGISTRATIONS
10 – 11AM
Arrive at the Brisbane Powerhouse between 10 and 11am to register, grab a coffee, and reunite with your interstate comrades.
Registrations will be closed during the Welcome to Country.
10.30 – 11AM
Deaf or Disabled delegates are invited to meet in the Quiet Room for a gathering moment before APAF kicks off.
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
11AM – 12PM
Join in the Welcome to Country at the Brisbane Powerhouse hosted by Shannon Ruska & Tribal Experiences.
Followed by a welcome to the 2023 Australian Performing Arts Forum by Aunty Roxanne McDonald and Uncle Lafe Charlton, a suite of performances by local First Nations artists including Aurora Liddle Christie (SOLCHLD) and Keely.
LUNCH: 12-1PM
OPENING KEYNOTE – on becoming better ancestors
1 – 2PM
A multi-generational panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and non-binary artists reflect on the past to consider the future they’ll leave behind. The continuation of a long history and ancient line of matriarchs, these five artists “consider legacy” in relation to kinship and a shared cultural responsibility to community and country.
Speakers include Hannah Belanszky, Sinsa Mansell, Rachael Maza AM and Chelsea Watego
Moderated by Michelle Tuahine
SECTOR UPDATES
2 – 2:30PM
Hear from advocacy and funding bodies about the latest workforce, funding, and skills development opportunities for the performing arts sector.
- Arts QLD (Celia Reordan, Deputy Executive Director, Strategy and Program)
- Creative Australia (Annette Madden, Head of Theatre)
- MEAA (Michelle Rae, Organising Director)
- Theatre Network Australia (Erica McCalman, Chair)
AFTERNOON TEA: 2:30 – 3PM
ARTIST-LED ASSEMBLIES
3 – 6PM
On the afternoon of day one, delegates are invited to attend one of four artist-led assemblies, in line with their primary artform and/or area of expertise. These facilitated sessions will generate exploratory conversations about circus, dance, theatre and experimental & multi-artform practice, as we strive for stability within a sea of vastly shifting landscapes.
Circus & Physical Theatre
Facilitated by Chelsea McGuffin (Company 2) & Lara Croydon (QPAC)
Chelsea McGuffin and Lara Croydon will hold space for the Circus and Physical Theatre sector to engage in robust discussion, workshop sector-wide concerns, zoom in on key actionable elements, and celebrate successes. This breakout will provide a safe environment for delegates to share, express and hopefully leave with some good vibes to keep forging ahead as practitioners in the CaPT sector.
Dance
Facilitated by Daniel Riley with Rika Hamaguchi, Tyrel Dulvarie, and Kaine Sultan-Babij (Australian Dance Theatre)
Looking to interrogate the Australian-ness of our dance practice and performance landscape, Australian Dance Theatre’s Daniel Riley, with the assistance of his co-facilitators will open broad discussions on the past, present and future of Australian dance. And begin dialogue between all present about what kind of commitments we all need to make to ensure dance on our shared land, is iconically ours.
Experimental & Multi Artform
Facilitated by Nisha Madhan (Next Wave) & Nathan Sibthorpe (Counterpilot)
A purge and a pledge for the future of experimental art. This session will make use of collective conversation and collaborative online tools to map the current wants, needs and desires of experimental artists. Run with a genuine desire to move on from the trappings of late stage capitalism, come with needs, leave with gifts.
Theatre
Facilitated by Emily Coleman (TNA), Courtney Stewart (La Boite Theatre) & Erin Taylor (Australian Plays Transform)
Telling stories is how we make sense of the world – but what are the long-term pathways for the story-tellers in this country? As we step forward into a future where the hunger for untold stories is growing, how will we engage in a multiplicity of dramaturgies to support the development of new work in so-called Australia?
APAF NETWORKING DRINKS
Mary Mae’s, 6 – 7PM
Hosted by Creative Australia.