Australian Performing Arts Forum

Australian Performing Arts Forum (APAF)

The Australian Performing Arts Forum (formerly Australian Theatre Forum), run by TNA, is a landmark meeting place for Australian performing arts industry professionals. Held in different locations around the country, this biennial event strengthens the performing arts by addressing current issues regarding policy and practice, sharing knowledge and view points, and cultivating fresh ideas that will, in turn, enrich Australian art, culture and society.

APAF 2023

The Australian Performing Arts Forum (formerly ATF) took place from 13-15 September 2023 in Brisbane in association with Brisbane Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse. Check out the documentation on the APAF website!

ATF 2021: Deconstructed

ATF in 2021 went ahead in a deconstructed, COVID responsive way. We planned five different events: 3 in person, and 2 online, across the year. As 2021 progressed, we felt lucky to have had a large in person gathering in Adelaide in May. The Darwin gathering was shifted online, and the Sydney in person gathering was sadly cancelled.

ATF 2017: About Time

The fifth biennial forum, 2017 ATF: ABOUT TIME was held in Adelaide, 3-5 October 2017, Co-curated by Alexis West and Steve Mayhew, with producer Jennifer Greer Holmes.

ATF 2015: Making It

ATF 2015: MAKING IT was held at the Seymour Centre in Sydney from 20-23 January 2015, as part of Sydney Festival.

ATF 2013: To The Heart of It

In 2013, To the Heart of It took place in the capital as part of the Centenary of Canberra, a year-long program curated by Robyn Archer.

ATF 2011: Convictions + Connections

ATF 2011: Convictions + Connections took place at Brisbane Powerhouse from September 14 - 16.

ATF 2009: What Will We Do Now?

On May 14th-16th in Melbourne’s Arts House Meat Market there was a unique gathering of Australia’s theatre practitioners, producers, presenters and commentators to explore the urgent issues of our time and imagine possible futures for the Australian theatre sector. This forum was the first time the theatre sector got together in this way for over 20 years and it was hoped that this would be the first of a regular biennale forum hosted by different cities and towns across Australia.