Artist and Sector Development
Eclectic and extraordinary independent voices
The Sydney Opera House launched the Artist & Sector Development program in 2018 as part of its support for independent contemporary practice by artists and small companies in Australia. The program gives local artists an internationally recognised platform to showcase their work, and offers unique professional development opportunities through mentorships and masterclasses.
UnWrapped is a biannual season of diverse, sophisticated and provocative performance curated by Sydney Opera House Director of Programming, Fiona Winning. The UnWrapped program features acclaimed work by new artists, and new kinds of work by established artists. The program has included inventive and risk-taking contemporary performance work across dance, live art and theatre by Ghenoa Gela, William Yang, Side Pony Productions and the Last Great Hunt, Branch Nebula, Mojo Juju and Lucy Guerin.
The annual Digital Mentoring Program offers training and mentorship in content creation with expert guidance from Sydney Opera House's production and marketing teams. The program seeks to diversify participants' skills and practice and share their artistic work to broader audiences. Mentees have access to the Opera House’s world-class Recording and Broadcast Studio and specialised professional development opportunities and capacity building.
Industry Insiders is a free, three-year membership for Australian performing artists and arts professionals, providing special industry offers including discount tickets and exclusive access to masterclasses and talks.
Fiona Winning - Director, Programming
Fiona has had a diverse career in independent and commercial performing arts across contemporary performance, theatre, dance and festivals. She was Sydney Festival Head of Programming from 2012 to 2017, presenting works by inspirational Australian and international artists in venues across the city. Previously, Fiona worked as a dramaturge and producer in contemporary arts, curating the Australian Theatre Forum in 2011 and co-convening the Bundanon Trust’s annual Siteworks event in 2010-11.
From 1999 to 2008, Fiona was Director of Performance Space, a national contemporary arts hub based in Sydney. In this role, she collaborated with artists and communities to conceive and produce events in theatres, galleries and public spaces, as well as developing a range of festival, training and residency programs. She was instrumental in the development of Carriageworks, collaborating with the arts sector, Arts NSW and architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Fiona is also a lecturer and co-designer of NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) course.