La Boite launches new HWY offering to support local arts industry

Queensland’s La Boite Theatre Company is launching new opportunities through its pioneering HWY program to support local theatre-makers and boost artist employment in the state.

The new HWY offering will provide six paid opportunities, including a 12-month commission for a local playwright or group of writers, a 6-month opportunity for interstate collaborators to develop a new work or an existing idea, and four 3-month development opportunities for artists or companies to seed new work for any one of La Boite’s spaces.

La Boite Artistic Director and CEO Todd MacDonald said this will create employment opportunities for local artists; the heart of La Boite’s community.

Supporting local artists, particularly those who have lost employment or income due to COVID-19, is at the forefront of our minds, Mr MacDonald said.

“With this fresh development opportunity for artists, we’re considering the future of programming and we understand that it must look different for The Roundhouse Theatre and our surrounding spaces – we are excited to collaborate with our communities and invite in new ideas, while also providing talented artists with resources and income to develop new work that matters.”

Given the uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of theatre spaces for live performance, La Boite’s Creative Producer Sanja Simić said research and development opportunities were critical.

“We are excited about the breadth of these opportunities and hope to hear from artists who are inspired to write or make work for La Boite’s iconic Roundhouse Theatre, as well as spaces in La Boite’s precinct, including the La Boite Studio, Foyer and Public Forecourt.”

Applications will be open from now until Monday, 13 July 2020, with the application requirements and process differing per opportunity.

Successful applicants will receive a fee for their work, as well as comprehensive artistic, producing, administrative and production support during the development period. La Boite is offering $15,000 for the 12-month playwright commission, $5,000 for the 6-month interstate collaboration and $2,500 per 3-month development opportunity for artists or companies.

Public announcements will be made in September, with applicants being notified in mid- August.

La Boite’s new offering sits within the company’s wider HWY umbrella, which includes La Boite’s Associate Artists, Assistant Creatives and the Artists In Residence program, supporting a cohort of diverse theatre-makers over a 12-month period.

Please find further information at laboite.com.au/programs/for-artists