Major performing arts board
The major performing arts board aims to ensure that Australia has an artistically vibrant, financially viable and broadly accessible major performing arts sector.
The MPAB has responsibility for oversight of the operations of 29 performing arts companies throughout Australia, as joint and equal partners with state government funding agencies, as agreed by the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC).
To be included in the board, a company must meet all of the following criteria:
- be a dance, music, opera or theatre company or a hybrid thereof
- demonstrate the highest artistic standards in performances
- show an ongoing commitment to the development of the artform
- demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the development of artists within the artform
- show evidence of a sizeable and increasing audience base
- have a minimum average annual total income of $1.54 million over the previous three-year period
- demonstrate an ongoing ability to be financially viable, including increasing levels of financial support from the broader community.
To be included in the board, a company must also be categorised according to the role it is expected to play in its core activities. The categories are:
- international company
- Australian flagship company--resident or touring
- specialist company
- state flagship company.
To be designated to one of these four categories, a company must meet the criteria for that category as agreed by the CMC. The category criteria are available from the board's executive director. Inclusion in the major performing arts board is by invitation. Companies wishing to be considered for inclusion should submit an expression of interest to the executive director of the board.
The board recognises the complex challenges facing identified major performing arts companies and aims to work in partnership with them to address these challenges. It supports a culture of artistic innovation in the companies and a commitment to performance excellence. It encourages and assists the companies to deliver broad artform, geographic and demographic access. The board also works with the companies to help them improve their costrevenue dynamics through increasing earned income, building reserves and strengthening management skills and governance processes.
The board, with the relevant state funding agency, negotiates tripartite performance agreements with identified major performing arts companies to assist in achieving mutually agreed operational and artistic objectives.