NZ Set to Impress at Performing Arts Market

New Zealand set to impress at 6th Australian Performing Arts Market

New Zealand performing arts companies are set to impress international festival presenters and producers at the 6th Australian Performing Arts Market early next year, with support from Creative New Zealand in partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts.

To be held in Adelaide in February 2004, the 6th Australian Performing Art Market will include spotlight performances by up to three New Zealand performing arts companies; a New Zealand booth profiling its performing arts; and a special publication featuring New Zealand performing arts companies with tour-ready repertoire.

Creative New Zealand, which has supported a New Zealand presence at the Arts Market since 1996, is inviting performing artists and companies to register their interest in participating in the event. A key performing arts market in the Southern Hemisphere, it attracts festival presenters and producers from Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Europe, North America, South America and Asia - all keen to buy performances that catch their attention.

At the 5th Australian Performing Art Market in 2002, the presenters and producers used words like “outstanding”, “compelling” and “extraordinary” to describe the New Zealand work they saw.

Arts Board Chair Murray Shaw says the Australian Performing Arts Market is an invaluable opportunity to showcase the unique characteristics of New Zealand’s performing arts to a discerning group of international buyers.

“It’s helped a number of New Zealand companies build new audiences and international markets for their work,” he says. “It’s also enhanced New Zealand’s reputation as a vibrant, diverse and creative nation here in the Pacific.”

One United States presenter at the 2002 event described Black Grace Dance Company’s spotlight performance as “impressive, rare, refreshing, unique, engaging”. As a direct result of this performance, Black Grace Dance Company secured two international tours this year. Last month, the Auckland company began a 13-centre tour of Australia over seven weeks. And in October, it will perform at the prestigious Holland Dance Festival and then tour the Netherlands.
At its premiere performance in Melbourne, the Australian critics raved. Lee Christofis of The Australian wrote: “ … a mesmerising, controlled powerhouse … it’s the seven dancers’ unadulterated enjoyment that leaves punters gasping and cheering for more. This is a show that makes you glad to be alive.”

The closing date for applications to take part in the 6th Australian Performing Arts Market is 5pm Friday 15 August. For more information please contact Cath Cardiff, Arts Adviser, Theatre and Dance (Tel: 04-498 0736 Email: cathc@creativenz.govt.nz). You can also download a copy of the guidelines from the Resources section of the Creative New Zealand website (www.creativenz.govt.nz).

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