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Learn more about the Australian Art Orchestra and what we do.
AAO TO PERFORM AT
OSAKA WORLD EXPO
We’re excited to announce that this week we travel to Japan for a number of special performances and events.
Over 10 nights, AAO will give 21 performances across numerous works showcasing our core repertoire and representing Australia in music at the Australian Pavilion for the Osaka World Expo. We are especially delighted that iconic First Nations singer songwriter Kutcha Edwards, will be with us to perform excerpts from our collaboration Wuigada Gagada, alongside a dynamic ensemble, performing a range of works in a highly diverse program of music.
Osaka World Expo 11th July - 20th July, The Australian Pavilion.
Performance details and schedule available below.
APPLICATIONS OPEN -
FIRST NATIONS ARTIST
IN RESIDENCE
The First Nations Artist Residency program is an artistic and professional development initiative presented in partnership between the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation. The program supports the career development of a First Nations musician with a practice in jazz, improvisation, singer-songwriter music, hip-hop, soul, or contemporary art music and its composition.
Applications close at 5pm AEST on Monday 28 July 2025
AAO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT
The AAO welcomes Sarah Wade to our organisation as the new Executive Director.
Sarah is an arts manager with a passion for music and the arts in community, and their powerful capacity to impact both society and individuals.
Sarah has worked across a range of leading organisations, including in program coordination roles at Melbourne Recital Centre, Wyndham City Arts & Culture, Woodend Winter Arts Festival, the National Institute of Circus Arts, and The Australian Ballet School. She has additionally held leadership and project management roles with CresFest and Boxwood Australia, and supported a roster of artists at Cinque Artist Management.
Sarah is excited to be joining the leadership team at AAO:
“The Australian Art Orchestra champions music-making of and for our modern Australia. It embraces a philosophy and musical approach that reflects our nation’s position and role in the Asia-Pacific, performing music that represents and reflects us all.
It is exciting to become part of this powerhouse team who imagine, cultivate and deliver aspirational, courageous programs and projects with innovation and cultural impact. It is incredible to be producing works that share Australian stories through the shared language of improvisation. It is significant to be doing so on country grounded in ancient, spiritual sovereignty - co-existing with narratives of migration and multi-culturalism.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute and grow with the small-to-medium arts sector and the creative music scene. I look forward to working with my new colleagues, board, partners, advocates, artists and audience to drive AAO’s vision with spirit and grace.”
Sarah Wade
Executive Director, Australian Art Orchestra