Performing arts covers all forms of performance, including, theatre, radio, television and film. While an emphasis on Western performing arts has been established and will be maintained, the collection is broad-ranging and the Library also seeks to build collections of material related to non-Western cultures and forms.
The rise in recent years of film studies as an important area of scholarly and casual interest is increasingly reflected in our collecting, and in the Library’s desire to develop the profile of popular culture within its collections.
Collecting in the performing arts is generally maintained at a level that can support advanced research, and includes digital resources. Biographies, histories and analytical/critical works are selectively acquired across all areas of the performing arts.
Material on the Australian performing arts is collected in depth and the Library aims to acquire all significant Australian journals and books, as well as selected audio-visual material including sound recordings, DVDs and videos of Australian performers and performances.
The W. G. Alma Conjuring Collection includes books, journals, posters and a range of other resources on the theatrical art of conjuring. The collection also includes biographical information on Australian and overseas magicians. The Library aims to collect both Australian and international material on magic as a performing art at a level suitable for advanced research. Material on magic that is not related to conjuring as a performing art is not collected.
The Library has built up a very strong collection of material related to the theatrical arts, which includes areas such as opera and dance, as well as drama. There are strengths in English, European and American theatre along with an increasing emphasis on performing traditions and practices of cultures in the Asia-Pacific region.
Biographical, historical and analytical/critical works related to international film studies are collected at a level suitable for advanced research, including a range of specialist journal titles. The Library has endeavoured to extend its collecting in this area to include works on popular film genres in order to reflect the importance of popular culture studies.
Works on the history of television and studies of particular television genres are collected, with an emphasis on Australian, English and American material. Publishing in the area of popular television programs and genres has increased markedly in recent years and the Library collects important material in these areas.
Material on the history of radio broadcasting and significant genres and individuals is collected at a basic information level. An attempt is made to collect important historical surveys and material on significant broadcasters and genres.
