First Nations First: Reshaping the Australian Performing Arts Market Through Respectful Engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists and Companies

Abstract

Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) is the Australia Council for the Arts’ key strategic engagement to develop national and international touring opportunities for Australian contemporary performing arts. Prior to delivery of the Market1 by Brisbane Powerhouse there was criticism from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts sector about the lack of inclusion of Indigenous cultural products and low visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and cultural protocols in the delivery of the Market. Over a sequence of three iterations from 2014 to 2018 Brisbane Powerhouse made a deep commitment to the recognition of the unique contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and companies bring to a performing arts market in Australia. The respectful inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists was a palpable step-change. This article investigates how APAM became as a site for cultural resurgence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and demonstrates the activation of decolonized practices to reshape the Market.