Live Performance Australia

Live Performance Australia
Name	Live Performance Australia
Formation	1917 (as the Australian Actors' and Producers' Association predecessor organisations)
Type	Peak body
Headquarters	Sydney, New South Wales
Region served	Australia
Membership	Performing arts organisations, producers, venues, presenters, performing artists
Leader title	Chief Executive

Live Performance Australia is the peak national body representing the commercial and not-for-profit performing arts, theatre, music, dance, and entertainment sectors in Australia. It acts as an industry association, employer group, advocacy body, and standards setter engaging with venues, production companies, touring presenters, unions, and government agencies. Through awards, industrial agreements, and events it shapes policies affecting touring, employment, intellectual property, and international exchange.

History

Origins trace to early 20th-century organisations such as the Australasian Dramatic and Musical Association and later amalgamations including the Australian Actors' Equity Association and producer groups that responded to changing markets across the interwar and postwar eras. In the late 20th century, consolidation among employer and presenter organisations led to formation of a modern peak body that engaged with bodies such as Screen Producers Australia, Australian Council for the Arts, and state-based counterparts including Sydney Theatre Company stakeholders. The organisation navigated major sectoral shifts associated with events like the Woolloomooloo Opera House debates, the rise of corporate touring by entities like The Really Useful Group, and policy changes following reports such as the Australia Council for the Arts inquiries. Its evolution paralleled international counterparts including the League of American Theatres and Producers and the Society of London Theatre during the globalisation of live entertainment.

Structure and Membership

The organisation operates with a board drawn from executives of companies, venues, and producer associations including representatives from the Australian Performing Group, commercial promoters, and regional presenters. Membership categories encompass major presenters like Ticketek partners, independent producers, venue operators such as Arts Centre Melbourne, and artist representatives linked to unions including the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance. It liaises with government agencies such as the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and state arts ministries, and collaborates with international bodies like International Theatre Institute affiliates. Committees address areas such as industrial relations, touring, safety, and outreach with membership from organisations including Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and independent festivals.

Roles and Activities

The organisation negotiates collective agreements with trade unions and employer groups, administers codes of practice for presenters and venues, and facilitates touring networks between metropolitan venues and regional centres like those in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. It runs industry seminars with partners such as Performing Arts Market stakeholders, provides business services to members including insurance and dispute resolution, and fosters international touring through relationships with companies such as Cirque du Soleil and producers represented at events like Southbank Centre showcases. It also maintains data and reporting on ticket sales, box office trends, and workforce statistics for stakeholders such as producers and presenters.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

As an advocate, the organisation engages with national policymakers, legislators in the Parliament of Australia, and state cabinets to influence funding frameworks, visa arrangements for visiting artists, and intellectual property regimes involving agencies such as IP Australia. It petitions on taxation measures affecting touring, negotiates parameters for cultural export programs with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and provides submissions to inquiries conducted by bodies like the Productivity Commission and parliamentary standing committees. The organisation has intervened in debates over arts funding schemes administered by the Australia Council for the Arts and has campaigned on emergency relief measures during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic alongside unions and industry coalitions.

Awards and Events

It organises national awards and industry gatherings that recognise achievements across theatre, musicals, opera, dance, and live music, attracting participation from companies like Opera Australia, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and commercial musical producers. Annual events include conferences, networking forums, and gala ceremonies attended by producers, venue directors, artists, and policymakers from institutions such as Sydney Opera House and major festivals including the Adelaide Festival and Brisbane Festival. The awards operate alongside other national honours including prizes administered by the Australia Council for the Arts and state performing arts awards.

Industry Standards and Training

The organisation develops and promotes standards for occupational health and safety in venues, technical production protocols, and crowd management in partnership with regulators like Safe Work Australia and venue operators including Perth Concert Hall. It supports professional development through workshops, accredited training pathways linked to registered training organisations and industry trainers used by entities such as TAFE NSW and private providers. Initiatives address skills pipelines for technicians, stage management, and touring logistics, and align with migration and visa frameworks impacting seasonal and international contracts.

Criticism and Controversies

The organisation has faced critique from artist collectives, unions, and cultural commentators over positions on labour negotiations with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, stances during industrial disputes, and policy submissions perceived as privileging commercial presenters over independent artists. Controversies have arisen around award eligibility, transparency in funding advocacy, and responses to crises such as venue closures or pandemic support measures debated in the Senate Estimates process. Disputes have involved members and stakeholders from regional companies, festivals, and producer associations, prompting calls for reform on governance, representational balance, and engagement with Indigenous arts organisations including National Indigenous Television stakeholders.

Category:Arts organisations based in Australia