More artists and performers are withdrawing from Sydney Festival as part of a boycott protesting the festival receiving funding from the Israeli embassy.

44 productions have been nominated across 28 categories, after two extraordinarily challenging years for the industry.

A NSW cabinet reshuffle sees National's Ben Franklin take over the Arts portfolio as Harwin stands down.

Arts events planned for January face an uncertain Christmas with NSW reporting record COVID case numbers.

Australian composer Felicity Wilcox has taken out the $4000 prize from Rubiks Collective, and will collaborate with the ensemble on a new work.

Features in our bumper holiday issue include the arts on offer in 2022, Deborah Cheetham's interview with Chi-chi Nwanoku, Víkingur Ólafsson, Leonardo the musician and Christopher Wheeldon's musical An American in Paris.

Feras Shaheen, a Western Sydney street dancer and choreographer, has won the inaugural TEC award for emerging choreographers, an initiative from The Australian Ballet and its Principal Partner Telstra.

Brainchild of Australian classical guitarist Matt Withers, the Australian Music Composition Competition opens applications for Australian composers.

Melbourne's Australian Contemporary Opera Company has announced its 2022 season, with seven productions – all directed by women – including five Australian premieres.

173 projects have received funding in the Australia Council's latest round of grants, including Adelaide Festival, Australian Digital Concert Hall, Katie Noonan's AVÉ and Noongar artist Gina Williams.

In the latest round of grants from the $50 million Sustainability Fund, $6.2 million has been awarded to five arts organisations.

Mozart, Bach, Haydn and Handel top the bill, but there's plenty of new music too in SPC's 2022 program.