Theatre Network Victoria has been supported by the Australia Council to start scoping ideas for a second Australian Theatre Forum in 2011.
This workshop at the Australian Performing Arts Market in Adelaide on 23rd February kicked off the planning, and was a chance for the sector to keep the conversations going. Panel members each gave a quick overview of outcomes and actions from and since ATF 2009, then a mini round-table workshop allowed the 100 or so participants to explore three questions about theatre. The session was at capacity, and it was a vibrant and exciting 90 minutes of discussion. These outcomes will help inform the planning of the next forum. The Steering Committee will oversee that process.
Just some of the outcomes were:
At the next forum we want:
- Better representation of Independent theatre makers (at the forum and in general);
- Documentation and articulation of the sector's ideas and real outcomes;
- Holistic mapping of the sector;
- A green toolbox;
- Conversations new ways;
- Better and more advocacy, debate and development;
- Australian Theatre Forum 2013 – in Canberra (during Centenary celebrations).
Broad themes that we feel are important right now are:
- ENGLISH IS NOT THE LANGUAGE OF THEATRE;
- CHALLENGING THE HIERARCHY OF THEATRE IN AUSTRALIA;
- RISK ISN’T DEAD;
- MAKE ART THE CENTRE OF CULTURE;
- HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE ART;
- DEDICATION TO FAILURE;
- BLUR THE LINES;
- MENTORING UP AND ACROSS;
- A FORUM ABOUT MINORITIES;
- SMASH KPIS – SMASH HIERARCHY;
(we did also have: “Theatre, Theatre, Theatre, Oi, Oi, Oi” but it doesn’t deserve capitalisation).
In 2020 (ten years) theatre will look like:
- Flexible structures and streamlined funding models;
- Accessible and affordable;
- A collaborative and united sector;
- More local and more environmentally sustainable;
- Different engagement with more diverse audiences;
- New forms - or not?;
- Theatre is more relevant and more diverse;
- Empowered artists;
- Theatre is as fun as ’45 vodkas’ (this is the arts, forgive us!).
The full report will be on the website soon! You can see more photos on the Australian Theatre Forum page: Photos from APAM Workshop
