MERRIGONGX Artist Development Program

Merrigong Theatre company’s annual program of artistic development and presentation creates deep connections with the diverse communities of our region. Since 2017, the rapid growth of our Artists’ Program,MerrigongX, has given opportunities for more than 300 local artists to develop their practice. In the increasingly difficult live performance landscape, Merrigong has offered a lifeline to countless Australian artists and artscompanies. In 2027, MerrigongX, turns 10. Merrigong's Artistic Director, Simon Hinton, and Artistic Development Manager, Leland Kean, will discuss the journey from its beginnings a decade ago to what is now widely recognised as the largest and most prolific artist development program in regional Australia, discussing the program structure, impact on the local artistic ecology and its expanding success on national and, now, international stages.