Photo by Alex Sibbison
About
Supporting the right work to reach the right audience, at the right time.
The Australian Performing Arts Exchange (APAX) is the national market and professional development gathering of more than 450 performing arts workers to develop tours and cultivate the relationships that deliver presentation outcomes for audiences and communities across Australia.
Since its inception, APAX has shifted the dial in Australian performing arts markets, from transactional market environments to a focussed, relationship-based platform for doing business which prioritises connecting presenters, producers, and artists so that the right work reaches the right audience, at the right time.
Alongside a range of pitching, showcasing and networking opportunities, APAX supports the professional development of delegates, showcases sector innovation and best practice and supports industry renewal through knowledge exchange.
On this page:
Approach to programming
Guiding Principles
PAC Australia’s Strategic Plan (2023 – 2026) includes Guiding Principles that are the standards to which we hold ourselves accountable. These guide and inform all PAC Australia programs and projects, including APAX.
Respect for First Nations arts and culture
First Nations people are the custodians of their culture, stories, and knowledge and their authority must be acknowledged and respected.
Respect
We recognise and value the unique knowledge, skills and backgrounds of our members, and the broader performing arts sector. As advocates for our membership, and a representative for the industry, respect is based on timely communication, sensitivity, safety, representation and delivering what we promise.
Transparency
Being explicit about the drivers behind decision-making, and who is making those decisions.
Accountability
Being accountable for commitments as agreed, responsible for our actions and decisions, and being clear about expectations and capacity.
Sustainability and opportunities to thrive
This relates to the impact of our decision-making on the sustainability of the organisation, the environment, or the sector. Sustainability is also directly connected to a commitment to wellbeing, connectedness and security. Further, the sector can only thrive when there are equitable opportunities to do so, and relies on a commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion.
Safety
We are responsible for considering and accounting for the cultural, physical and psychological safety of our workplaces and engagement practices.
These principles also set an expectation of our membership and a framework for their own accountability through our Members Code of Conduct, the National Touring Charter and other standards set by PAC Australia.
EQUITY & DIVERSITY AT APAX
By interrogating every step of the process from arts market applications, panel(s) selection, APAX programming and the support provided to participants and delegates throughout the event, we apply an equity lens to ensure that we do not perpetuate structures of exclusion and that we use our sphere of influence to advance diversity, equity and inclusion priorities within the performing arts sector.
It is our aim that through the various process, applications and programming of APAX 2024 that we can demonstrate measurable progress in the diversification of the program, the delegates attending APAX, PAC Australia’s membership and ultimately the work that reaches stages around the country.
SECTOR CALLOUT
PAC Australia undertakes an annual sector callout for individuals and organisations to express interest in participating in a range of PAC Australia’s panels, advisory groups, speaking/presenting opportunities and peer review opportunities.
The responses from this callout has informed APAX programming through the appointment of panelists to the arts market application panel and the programming of professional development content and speakers.
PAC Australia undertakes to continue this consultative approach to decision-making and programming.