The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association [APATA] is Australia’s uniting body for teachers, educators and industry practitioners working, creating and leading in education in the performing arts.

The APATA National Awards Program shines a light on our community’s most inspirational performing arts educators and the significant role they play in the performing arts, and the wider community, celebrating achievement and contribution. APATA is a dynamic and progressive body for performing arts teachers and educators who work, practice, develop, nurture, and dedicate their life’s work developing future educators in the performing arts, emerging artists and creatives for today and tomorrow.

Excellence across all elements of the performing arts industry is recognised, including dance, music, theatre, musical theatre, opera, comedy, circus, and culture through to those practitioners who develop our writers, designers, producers, directors, managers, administrators, and technical production experts.

Performing arts education focus can be a combination of performing arts disciplines or a stand-alone area of specialisation.

Award Categories

Award 01. Performing Arts School of the Year

This award – ‘Performing Arts School of the Year’ recognises a school that inspires students in their learning and development in the performing arts. Outstanding teaching and leadership create positive environments for students to achieve their best and connect with the performing arts.

This award can be entered by primary, secondary, performing arts school or studios (private ownership), or higher education.

In the APATA National Award Program you will read ‘Performing arts education focus can be a combination of performing arts disciplines or a stand-alone area of specialisation’.

This means you may educate, teach or train across several areas (i.e., dance, music, singing, film and screen, etc.) or perhaps you focus on one area of expertise (e.g., dance or drama or circus).

Award 02. Performing Arts Teacher of the Year

The ‘Performing Arts Teacher of the Year’ award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the country’s performing arts teachers and educators.

Without performing arts teachers and educators, the talent pool would not be encouraged, nurtured, or developed with skill and technique. Often our teachers are not fully appreciated for their passion, inspiration, and dedication in providing students with guidance, encouragement, and education to explore the performing arts.

In the APATA National Award Program you will read ‘Performing arts education focus can be a combination of performing arts disciplines or a stand-alone area of specialisation’.

This means you may educate, teach or train across several areas (i.e., dance, music, singing, film and screen, etc.) or perhaps you focus on one area of expertise (e.g., dance, drama or circus).

Award 03. Performing Arts Student of the Year

The ‘Performing Arts Student of the Year’ award isn’t just about winning competitions. It is so much more. Whilst we acknowledge and want to know about the student’s achievements, we also want to get to know the young person working towards a future in the performing arts.

It takes courage to share your passion with the world. This award recognises a young person for their dedication to practice, perseverance, initiative, self-motivation, resilience and positive contribution to their performing arts community while developing skills and technique in their performing arts discipline(s) of choice.

In the APATA National Award Program you will read ‘Performing arts education focus can be a combination of performing arts disciplines or a stand-alone area of specialisation’.

This means the student may train and practice across several areas (i.e., dance, music, singing, film and screen, etc.) or perhaps focus on one area of expertise (e.g., dance, drama or circus).

Important Dates

• 2025 APATA National Awards Program Criteria Available & Entries Open, Friday 10 January 2025.
• Entries Close: Midnight AEDT, Friday 21 March 2025 (check your time zone).
• All entries must be finalised and submitted in the APATA system by Midnight AEDT, Friday 21 March 2025. No further changes are permitted after this time or to any submission that has been formally submitted as confirmed through the APATA Awards Entry Portal.
• Awards Announced: Friday 2 May 2025.

Requirements for Award Entry