The Sydney-based artist, who won the 2001 Archibald Prize with a portrait of John Bell as King Lear, and sketched many STC productions, has died from cancer, aged 66.

The Orchestra celebrates its 75th anniversary with guest artists both new and returning, a number of works by Australian composers, and a new early-evening series.

Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela has announced he will stay on for five more years, as the SDC prepares for its return to the Sydney Opera House and a busy touring schedule.

The study reveals that audience attendance has yet to fully recover from the pandemic and points to the rising cost of living as the new primary barrier.

Five world premiere commissions by composers including Ross Edwards, Caroline Shaw and Brenda Gifford, make up a diverse season, with living composers contributing 70% of the music. 

Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra showcases a balanced program, studded with stellar guest performers, and invites its audience to stay back for post-show small talk.

With its Noongar theme of Djinda (stars), this year's program will look to the cosmos. Artists include the Kronos Quartet with Maatakitj, Björk and a sneak-peek at Richard Mills' new opera about Galileo.

Fisch's tenure will now run until 2025, making him the longest-serving Principal Conductor in the history of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

With film scores including Babe, Paper Planes and Blueback, the composer will be recognised at the 2022 Screen Music Awards, to be held later this month.

Frances Rings will choreograph a deeply personal, full-length work for her inaugural season as Artistic Director of Bangarra.

The UNSW ensemble offers a season lit up by Bach, Ravel, Westlake and Edwards, with guest performers that loom large in NSW and internationally.

The modest, restrained budget has few initiatives for the arts and entertainment industry, though this was foreshadowed, with future arts funding to be laid out in the forthcoming Cultural Policy.