Australian Performing Arts Market Set for 18-22 Feb

All eyes will be on Brisbane, Australia from 18 to 22 February 2014 for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), the premier biennial industry event for contemporary performing arts in the Asia Pacific region.

More than 600 artists, presenters and producers from around the globe will discover Australia and New Zealand's best creative works, find new collaborators, network with fellow professionals, and meet key arts funding and development agencies to build and negotiate international and national tours.

APAM 2014 is the only arts market that provides international presenters with the opportunity to see and find out about contemporary performance works by Australian and New Zealand arts companies and independent artists.

Having moved to a new location, APAM 2014 will be presented by the Australia Council for the Arts in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Brisbane City Council is the principal supporter of APAM. The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, proudly supports the event.

Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said, "Brisbane Powerhouse is excited to be the home for APAM 2014 and looks forward to welcoming our international delegates."

Announcing the independently curated program, Executive Producer Jane Fuller said APAM 2014 would feature 37 production showcases, including full lengths and excerpts, and 15 work-in- development pitches.

"This year's rich and varied program will focus on independent talent as well as established Australian and New Zealand companies seeking a new audience," Ms Fuller said.

"One of APAM's great strengths is its ability to provide a unique platform for producers to present innovative new work, such as the award winning team of director Shaun Parker and composer Nick Wales who will showcase the arresting music/dance production AM I. The work will feature a live musical score with 14 extraordinary performers.

"The 2014 program features a number of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works such as ILBIJERRI Theatre Company's full length presentation of CORANDERRK which recreates the 1881 Parliamentary Inquiry into the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve in a production that is both great theatre and important Australian history.

"It includes special events such as Terrapin Puppet Theatre's I Think I Can, an interactive installation that incorporates a model railway in public spaces, inviting the public to engage and play by becoming temporary residents.

"APAM 2014 also sees a new programming category introduced for artists to present their work in a true club environment. This curated cabaret will feature four works including Yana Alana and Tha Paranas' Between the Cracks, Synergy Percussion's City Jungle, Justin Shoulder and collaborators The River Eats and Die Roten Punkte Eurosmash!."

Australia Council for the Arts CEO Tony Grybowski said APAM was the only performing arts industry event that championed the unique potential and authentic character of Australian and New Zealand works to international and national presenters.

"The last APAM in 2012 attracted around 600 participants, with more than 200 international delegates across 35 countries, resulting in more opportunities for artists to perform and work both in Australia and internationally.

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said APAM will be just another feather in Brisbane's cap.

""APAM will be a five-day long celebration of performing arts, held across a network of local venues and is sure to be an event that further enhances Brisbane's reputation as Australia's New World City," said Cr Quirk.

Some exciting events that coincide with APAM 2014 in Brisbane, include the Brisbane Powerhouse's WTF: A Festival of Contemporary Performance (13 - 23 February), the BrisAsia Festival (31 January - 1 March), Clancestry at QPAC (18 - 23 February) and the Cai Guo-Qiang Falling Back from Earth exhibition at QAG/GoMA (23 November 2013 - 21 April 2014).

APAM 2014 is also timed to coincide and link in with major international arts festivals in Australia and the Asia Pacific region that are sure to complement every international traveller's schedule. These include Perth International Arts Festival (7 February - 1 March), Hong Kong Arts Festival (20 February - 23 March), New Zealand Festival (21 February - 16 March) as well as Fringe World (24 January - 23 February), Adelaide Fringe Festival (14 February - 16 March) and Adelaide Festival (28 February - 16 March).

APAM 2014 is a not-to-be missed networking event for talent buyers from across the world interested in works by Australian and New Zealand artists and companies. Register now at www.performingartsmarket.com.au/register and benefit from early bird rates, available until 10 December 2013.

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