Don't panic: The impact of digital technology on the major performing arts

• Australia Council Major Performing Arts Board
• Australia Council

Read the full text

09 December 2008There is no doubt that continuing advances in digital technology will affect the major performing arts (MPA) industry and force it to change its ways of doing business. On the whole, the MPA sector in Australia is lagging behind global trends in the performing arts industry, and the digital adaptations of other like-industries. And if MPA companies do not begin to engage meaningfully with digital technology, they will find themselves trying to respond too late to be the biggest winners from advances.

The Australia Council's major performing arts board has produced a discussion paper on the impact of digital technology on the sector.

The aims of this paper are to:

? provoke discussion in the MPA sector about the opportunities and threats posed by digital
technology
? encourage MPA companies to begin scenario planning for the future of their businesses and artforms
? assist MPA companies to develop a future strategy for themselves and for the sector, taking
advantage of the potential gains from cross-sector collaboration.