Redefining Places for Art

Abstract

Observing an apparent shift in the relationship between place and performance in creative work and audience behavior, Rede!ning Places for Art explored whether, how, why, and to what extent artists, administrators and audiences consider places as an essential aspect of the twenty-!rst century performance experience. The research examined six clusters of arts organizations in Queensland (Australia), from larger '"agship companies' to small regional arts initiatives. Extensive interviews with key artistic decision-makers, focus groups with audience members, and a study of statistical data con!rmed that no matter what their experience with performance, Queensland audiences are highly discerning about place. Important insights uncovered through this research include an increasing desire among audiences to curate their own experiences, artists and administrators seek to negotiate place alongside production values and "exibility, and the realization that arts policies and funding may not yet fully re"ect the current dynamic relationship between place and performance.