Perth set to host international performing arts congress
The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Regional Congress will meet in Perth April, 2024 spotlighting Australian creative work and bringing more than 500 national and international arts leaders together, Australian host Performing Arts Connections Australia (PAC Australia) announced today.
ISPA CEO, David Baille praised PAC Australia’s outstanding bid following the international call out.
“I am looking forward to working with the PAC Australia Team and many of Australia’s performing arts organisations over the next three years to realise a truly remarkable event that will showcase the diversity and range of Australia’s artists and arts community.”
The announcement topped off this week’s PAC Australia’s 2021 Australian Performing Arts Exchange (APAX) which brought hundreds of presenters and producers together online this week online on how to open up arts centres and venues and tour the best, most exciting and relevant new live work from Australian artists.
PAC Australia’s Executive Director Katherine Connor said, “PAC Australia’s own vision is closely aligned with ISPA’s - building leadership capacity, identifying and discussing field-wide trends and deepening exchange. Australians have actively engaged with ISPA for decades and access to this network alongside the national network PAC Australia provides has already developed many rich opportunities for growing the Australian performing art sector.
“Bringing together national and international collaborators and buyers of work in 2024, in beautiful Perth, is something for the Australian performing arts sector to look forward to, particularly at this moment in time.”
ISPA Congresses bring together performing arts leaders from across the globe to discover the next great idea, and strengthen relationships, fostering connection and exchange.
• Held twice a year, one congress in New York and a second in a selected location across the globe.
• ISPA Congresses are attended by more than 500 leaders from more than 50 regions globally representing different genres and disciplines with the performing arts field.
• Congress programming is geared towards both established and emerging leaders in the performing arts
• Delegates are presenters, festivals, producing companies, artist managers, consultants, government and cultural leaders.
“Aligned with PAC Australia’s APAX, the national marketplace and network gathering, ISPA Perth 2024 will spotlight Australian performance work and artists as we share the unique culture of Perth and Australia on the international stage.”
The congress will promote and support the vibrancy and sustainability of our sector, by developing lasting, meaningful, and cross-cultural relationships as the international discourse evolves beyond the pandemic.
“It’s particularly exciting to be planning an ISPA congress alongside APAX in Perth - with our head office based here we know just how accessible Perth actually is, both nationally and internationally. We’re looking forward to showing off Perth’s thriving arts scene and our city-meets-nature urban landscapes.”
Western Australian Minister for Culture and the Arts; and Tourism David Templeman said the conference would be a fantastic opportunity for Western Australia to showcase its investment in the arts and cultural sectors.
“We look forward to welcoming all delegates to our beautiful state, which has so many attractions and activities, as well as a burgeoning arts and cultural scene.”
Perth Theatre Trust, Business Events Perth and the Department of Local Government, Sports and Culture will partner with PAC Australia in delivering ISPA recognising the importance of the creative economy in a lively and growing city.
PAC Australia acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and where the congress will be held.
More information: PAC Australia / ISPA