Four of Australia’s leading regional performing arts organisations have joined forces to establish a new national pathway for developing and presenting large-scale Australian theatre, backed by funding from Creative Australia.

The newly formed Second Cities Producing Consortium has received $280,000 through Creative Australia’s Creative Futures Fund to deliver the first year of a proposed four-year pilot program.

The partnership brings together Canberra Theatre Centre, Geelong Arts Centre, Merrigong Theatre Company in Wollongong and HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast. Collectively, the venues attract annual audiences of around 1.2 million people.

A digital rendering of Canberra Theatre Centre’s new lyric theatre. Photo courtesy of the ACT Government

The consortium aims to co-invest in the commissioning, development and presentation of new Australian theatre works, with audiences considered from the earliest stages of development. Working alongside producing companies and major venues across Australia, the partners intend to create a more sustainable model for ambitious productions to tour nationally.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen collaboration between regional arts organisations across state borders, enabling them to share resources, respond to common challenges and increase opportunities for artists and touring companies.

Canberra Theatre Centre Executive Director...