Mandurah Performing Arts Centre named Australia's Performing Arts Centre of the Year

This week's Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA) conference commenced with the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre being named Australia's Performing Arts Centre of the Year at the APACA Drover Awards.

The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre won the award against competition from The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie, Theatre Royal in Hobart and Geelong Performing Arts Centre.

The awards launched the 27th APACA conference, held at the Canberra Theatre Arts Centre. With the theme Fear No Art, the three-day conference aim to cultivate ideas and progressive discussions in the performing arts industry.

A report on the Awards in The West Australian newspaper, explained "the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre has lessons to teach other venues about how to be more than a room for hire after being hailed the best in the land by Australian producers.

"The centre ... has undergone a recent renaissance led by adventurous programming, community engagement and a clear audience development strategy."

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre General Manager Guy Boyce was quoted by The West Australian as stating "when I took over three years ago, it was a really well-run venue but the focus on programming was pretty minimal.

"Because I had a very good team I was able to step in with some ideas on programming and get noticed. It is fantastic to get that acknowledgment by our peers of the work we have been doing."

The West Australian added that paid attendances at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre increased by 36% in 2011/12 from the previous year ... with Boyce stating that Mandurah's approach showed how a holistic programming policy could engage a community.

The APACA Drover Awards were instigated in 2003 to recognise excellence in performing arts touring.

For more information go to www.apaca.com.au/conference