According to The Concourse's Executive Director Greg Khoury the initiative will provide great opportunities for emerging Australian artists and has been made possible with the active support of Willoughby City Council.
"The establishment of ITI at The Concourse is an endorsement of the centre and an opportunity to operate and connect internationally with theatre and youth programs, congresses and festivals," he said.
ITI is based in the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and was formed in 1948 to advance UNESCO's goals of mutual understanding and peace and advocates for the protection and promotion of cultural expressions, regardless of age, gender, creed or ethnicity.
It works internationally and nationally in the areas of arts education, international exchange and collaboration, and youth training.
The plan to establish the Australian Chapter was an initiative by Khoury and long-time colleague Mark Cleary, founder of the 10-minute Australian theatrical phenomenon, Short+Sweet which now operates in Australia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and New Zealand.
"Short+Sweet has been an Associate member of ITI for the last few years. Both organisations share a belief that theatre is a powerful vehicle for the development of creative expression and the transformation of individuals and nations," Cleary said.
The new organisation will include representatives from venues and performing arts organisations around the country and work to support international and local opportunities for Australian artists and companies.
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