Building Stronger Communities

Nurturing talent National Pride

From the Sydney Opera House to the Walkington Theatre in Karratha, the performing arts play a vital role in building stronger and more sustainable communities in Australia. Performing arts venues and touring companies are a hub for local cultural activity promoting inclusion and community development.

Our campaign draws national attention to the fundamental role local venues, companies, Local Government and community organisations play in building a stronger sense of community through partnerships in the performing arts.

Building Stronger Communities national media release [467kB PDF]

How can you help?

In your community:

We All Play a Part is a grass roots campaign. As a member of a community group, performing arts company, ensemble, community venue, local government you can help us build the campaign in your area by downloading our community resource kit [1MB PDF].

Online:

Play your part and register as an official supporter of We All Play a Part to receive updates on our campaign for the performing arts industry to your email account.

Join our Facebook group to meet our growing community of campaign supporters from across Australia.

Building stronger communities - case studies

Across the nation, from small country towns to the suburbs of major cities, performing arts companies and venues play their part as a hub for community growth and development.

Through Hearts in a Row, the Bell Shakespeare Company and its corporate partners provide hundreds of tickets to disadvantaged groups.
Company B and the State Theatre Company of SA offer ‘pay-what-you-can’ tickets to many productions.
In the Sweet Tonic — Music for Life program, Musica Viva and the Campbelltown Arts Centre are measuring how music impacts the health and well-being of south-west Sydney’s seniors. Case study [382kB PDF]
In partnership with MBF, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra visits dozens of hospitals in the Music4Health initiative.
In Saturday Jam members of the public can create a piece of music with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Federation Square.
In 2007, Orchestra Victoria’s award-winning Community Program reached more than 50,000 people in regional Victoria.
Oz Opera tours extensively across Australia building the capacity of communities to promote opera and the performing arts in their community. Case study [676kB PDF]
Opera Queensland’s ‘Choice Voice’ program provides free performances in public venues, including shopping malls and sporting grounds.
Through ‘Open Doors’, the public can observe the training and wardrobe of the Queensland Ballet during school holidays.
In association with Coca-Cola, the Queensland Theatre Company’s Theatre Bus subsidises travel to performances for school groups from regional and disadvantaged areas.
The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and other venues in western Sydney are creating opportunities for people with disabilities to access the arts.
Orchestra Victoria in partnership with the Capital Theatre in Bendigo offer free orchestral concerts and educational workshops as part of its community program. Case study [311kB PDF]
The Australian Network for Art and Technology’s residency program supports intensive partnerships between artists and science and research institutions in Australia and beyond. Case study [652kB PDF]

Links:

Message from Lisa Scaffidi, Lord Mayor of the City of Perth & We all Play a Part Building Stronger Communities Ambassador:

“Can any city be a dynamic inviting city without the arts... the answer is a resounding ‘No’. As the Lord Mayor of the City of Perth I believe the arts are such an essential part of a lively city. Without the arts and all they bring to a city, we lack balance, substance, heart and soul.

The arts contribute enormously to our Western Australian lifestyle. Our Council believes that by supporting and engaging in artistic and cultural activities, we as a community find a greater sense of connection and identity with each other.

Not only does the pursuit of the creative arts stimulate economic growth, employ thousands of people and provide interest and entertainment to the people of Perth, it helps create a better understanding of global cultures, creates a more dynamic city and breaths life and spirit into our urban fabric.

Here at the City of Perth we promote cultural and performance events to bring excitement to the city, promote artists works produced by local and Australian artists. We focus on the creation and inclusion of public sculpture into our city’s streetscapes. We work closely with all cultural and art forms and organisations with a great pride to be involved in the fine work they do.”

Participation and Enjoyment

Building Stronger Communities

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