This program is specifically designed for emerging producers and/or self-producing artists in the early years of their practice.  

An “emerging” producer is someone in the early stages of their producing career – no matter your age.

For example, this could look like:

• someone who is in the first five years of their producing practice
• a producer who has mainly worked on grassroots projects or has no professional experience
• an arts admin worker who has been working in the industry for some time but who wants to move into producing
• an experienced artist who is just beginning to produce their own work independently

The program’s content will be targeted at entry-level skill development, so it won’t be suitable for more experienced producers.

If you are a mid-career producer looking for networking opportunities or support regarding producing, please get in touch with Jane Schon.

The National Producers’ Platform will enable up to 24 emerging producers from across the country to undertake a deep engagement with Performing Lines to develop their knowledge, skills, experience, and networks in the performing arts sector. This program will run over four years, delivered through two cohorts of emerging producers (i.e., two x two year programs).  

Importantly, this is a paid opportunity, with honorariums provided for all participants. All travel costs will also be covered by the platform for participants to attend APAX.  

In 2025, online sessions will be delivered weekly on Fridays from 27 June – 29 August.  

The APAX visit will be 10 – 15 August.  

Please see below for in depth information regarding session content.  

Thursday 13 March 2025: Applications open

Wednesday 2 April 2025: Online Info Session via Zoom

Thursday 10 April 2025: First Nations Information Session via Zoom

Wednesday 23 April 2025 11:59pm AEST: Applications close

By Friday 23 May 2025: Applicants notified

Friday 27 June 2025: Program begins

First Nations Information Session 

Thursday 10th April, 2025, 1pm-2pm AEST Online Info Session via Zoom

Please register in advance for this meeting here: 

REGISTER HERE 

An additional information session for First Nations emerging producers looking to apply. 

This session will be delivered by Sinsa Mansell, Senior Producer – Performing Lines Tasmania.  

General Info Session 

This session was run on Wednesday 2 April 2025 Online via Zoom.

Below is the recording. This session was AUSLAN interpreted.

We want to hear about your producing experience, what support, training, or guidance you’re looking for in your practice, what challenges you’re currently facing as an emerging producer, and the impact this platform will have for yourself, your collective, and/or your community.  

Each producer will be required to bring a project idea with them to the platform to assist in learnings and tutorials. This can be the seed of an idea, a fully realised work, or something in between – it’s up to you! There is no outcome required for the project.  

You may choose to submit text answers or a video speaking to why you would benefit from this platform.  

We strongly encourage First Nations, regionally based, POC and people with a disability to apply. We encourage people from a variety of producing backgrounds to apply, whether you’re an independent producer, a self-producing artist, or a community organiser interested in producing in the performing arts.  

If you’re unsure if this program is for you, please get in touch to discuss.  

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Performing Lines will provide a safe and inclusive space for all to be involved. Please let us know in your application if you require additional support, or please reach out prior to applying to discuss any access or equity barriers around participation.  

Feel free to contact Performing Lines (NSW) Producer Jane Schon:
E: jane@performinglines.org.au
P: 02-9319-0066 

For people who need to communicate accessibility requirements, there is an option to upload an Access Rider to your application.  

Feel free to check out this template from our friends at Auspicious Arts Projects here: 

Download Auspicious Arts Access Rider Template  

We have multiple Performing Lines producers available should you have any questions or issues during this EOI process. Please feel free to speak to First Nations Producer Sinsa Mansell, or POC mentors Haneen or Nelson. Details are below.  

Year One

The platform partners will represent a range of producing contexts across the sector, with the aim of expanding the participants’ understanding of the broader performing arts ecology.  

Over 10 weeks, the program will cover topics such as:  

1. The Role of a Producer 
2. Working with Artists, Arts Companies, Festivals, and Presenters 
3. Best-Practice Approaches to Equity and Inclusion. 
4. Creating and Maintaining Safe Spaces. 
5. Policies, Guidelines, Contracts: The Practical Tools. 
6. Securing Funding and In-Kind Partners. 
7. Developing and Maintaining Effective Budgets. 
8. Market Development: Targeted National and International Strategies. 
9. Marketing and Promotion: Developing Materials and Content for Performing Arts 
10. Community Engagement and Audience Development Strategies. 
11. Evaluation Frameworks, Acquittals and Reporting. 

Additional readings and takeaway resources and templates will also be provided.  

Sessions will run weekly, with one 2.5hr online session per week for nine weeks on Fridays, 12pm to 2:30pm AEST (inclusive of breaks), 27 June to 29 August. 

Participants will attend the Australian Performing Arts Exchange in Darwin, from Sunday 10 August to Friday 15 August – all travel costs are covered.  

The platform purposefully blends online and in-person intensives to promote access for participants in different locations throughout the country, while also providing opportunities for connection, deeper discussion and in-person networking with platform peers and industry guests. 

Each participant will also be paired with a mentor with the intention of seeding a relationship that can continue beyond this program, furthering the opportunity for participants to build an ongoing network of industry peers.  

Year Two

In 2026, a select group of participants will be selected to undertake a paid placement at a partner organisation. Aligned to a project, this opportunity provides an embedded career development pathway for the participating producers and a timely and direct opportunity to apply the learnings from the producer platform in a real-world context.  

Performing Lines will lead the matchmaking of each producer and organisation, informed by the ambitions and interests of both parties. 

This program will be delivered in partnership with numerous companies nationally, and feature guest speakers and/or mentors from organisations including, but not limited to:  

• Performing Arts Connections (PAC) Australia (WA/Nat.)
• Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (NSW)
• Arts House (Vic)
• Dancenorth (Qld)
• Browns Mart (NT)
• Country Arts SA
• Theatre Royal (Tas)
• Moogahlin Performing Arts (NSW)

…with more partners to be announced!