2023/24 Creative Development Programs

Our 2023/24 Creative Development Program, Space to Create, demonstrated the transformative power of supporting experimental ideas. The Opal Guitar Quartet developed new works by their own members, while Penny Cashman and Bethany Hill created their innovative "And the Earth Turns" program that boldly incorporated spoken recitation into chamber music performance. Jodie O'Regan workshopped her ambitious "Night Whales" with Windsong Quintet, resulting in a project grant for further development of this work. 4EPQ developed a folk-inspired repertoire catalogue that connected traditional music with contemporary chamber works, later presented as part of the ASO’s Chamber Music concert series, and Emily Tulloch, Maryam Rahmani and Caoimhe Collins formed an entirely new ensemble that explored improvisatory techniques across Iranian, Irish, and Western classical traditions. As one participant reflected: "The funding allowed us to take daring and successful creative steps that we might not otherwise have taken... The seeds of our next project, and perhaps many more, lie here! It just goes to show the value of supporting the often hidden creative process, as much as performances themselves." These projects didn't just create new works—they sparked ongoing artistic journeys, built lasting collaborations, and expanded what chamber music could be.