The HotHouse Theatre has hosted a discussion to gain an understanding of how excellence in the performing arts is perceived in regional towns.
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HotHouse artistic director Lyn Wallis said the topic was always linked to context.
“I wouldn't throw the term out there on its own,” she said.
“Sometimes people see a story they don't want to hear where excellence has no context, but a work that really understands the stories of a community and works with them is excellent.”
She said the term was also subjective.
“It really is an unknown quantity, and not like a fixed point on a graph.”
Ms Wallis said the dynamic of regional areas did not allow for any margin for error compared to major cities.
“In the country there's no get out of jail free card,” she said.
“You have to be close with the community and hands on, however in the city you can get away with saying ‘I'm making a statement'.”
Ms Wallis said rewards from developing artistic spaces and attracting artists were felt by the entire community.
“When space is available and artists come in and showcase their skills, it is incredibly valuable,” she said.
“Artists are resilient, amazing people even under the worst conditions, doing it unpaid, no money, it's incredible how creative they can be.”
She said excellence rarely happened straight away, but was part of a cycle of progress.
“It's the old adage of it's not just what you do, it's how you do it,” she said.
“Some processes take one or two years, but that's how it is and how trust is gained within the community by the industry.”
Ms Wallis said community culture was an important part of the process.
She highlighted a previous experience of Vic McEwan, the artistic director of the CAD Factory and a member of the panel, who grabbed the attention of his local MP.
“He convinced him the artist that came was valuable, and once he realised it was bringing in money he took an interest and really engaged,” she said.
Wallis said if art spoke to the audience, and related to the time and place, it could be classified as excellent.
"However, excellence without an audience isn't very useful,” she said.
The latest theatre production Quiet Faith opens on October 8.
