Bringing art to where it’s needed most: Poetry in Action celebrates 20 years with InfraBuild partnership driving rural arts in education access expansion

Author: Mitch Knightbridge

Bringing art to where it’s needed most, Australia is a nation with a strong connection to the creative arts. Cities like Melbourne and Sydney have global recognition as hubs for literature, theatre, fashion, and film, reflecting a public that is deeply engaged with creative expression. With 98% of Australians participating in the arts in some form, the national appetite for cultural experiences is clear – especially in the education sphere, where experts widely recognise the link between arts involvement and positive child development.

Demand for accessible cultural experiences continues to grow, especially among younger audiences, but access remains uneven. According to a National Arts Participation survey, nearly half of Australians attend fewer arts events than they would like, with cost and location continuing to present significant barriers.

Australia clearly needs improved, nationwide access to the arts.

Poetry in Action and InfraBuild partnership explained

Against this backdrop, Non-profit theatre and arts organisation Poetry in Action has entered a new phase of growth and formed a national touring partnership with Australian steel manufacturer InfraBuild. 

The partnership comes as Poetry in Action celebrates its 20th year of performing in schools across the country and internationally. The collaboration highlights how cultural organisations are scaling their impact, with increased support from corporate partners helping to extend reach beyond metropolitan centres.

“This partnership is a huge boon for us, and will have a massive impact on our mission to reduce barriers to arts participation nationwide,” said Bryce Youngman.

The partnership, spanning 2026 to 2028, will support the Poetry in Action’s national touring program across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities. By enabling greater access to live performances for schools, the initiative aims to address ongoing barriers to arts participation, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to cultural programming remains scarce despite demand.

InfraBuild is an Australian-based steel manufacturing, recycling and distribution company with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Their participation reflects a growing commitment from the corporate sector to invest in community engagement, and the overall health of Australian art and education.

For Poetry in Action, the partnership comes at a milestone moment. Since its founding in 2006, the organisation has reached more than 950,000 young people through live performances and is on track to engage its one millionth audience member in 2026. Each year, it connects with over 70,000 students across more than 300 locations, reflecting both sustained demand and the growing role of creative programs within the education system.

Industry experts highlight the importance of these corporate-artistic partnerships, as the increased access to funding, collaborative networks, marketing expertise, strategy guidance and distribution infrastructure can allow them to extend far beyond what was previously possible. Easing the strain and stress of independently sourcing funding and promotional opportunities allows an organisation to move beyond short-term programming and plan for multi-year growth.

The partnership continues in the spirit of Poetry in Action’s “Pay It Forward” initiative from last year, which aimed to reduce cost and location-based barriers to arts participation for rural communities. The program enabled independent donors, foundations and the Chairman’s Circle membership to subsidise ticket prices and the cost of regional touring, helping ensure broader access for schools in remote and disadvantaged areas.

As a leading contributor to Australia’s cultural landscape over the past 20 years, Poetry in Action creates and performs original works by Australian artists, elevating poetry as an accessible art form and supporting the providence of employment pathways across theatre, film, and education sectors. 

With more than 90 professional artists employed since their inception, the industry recognises Poetry in Action as an invaluable professional development resource for emerging creatives entering the arts industry. 

As arts organisations navigate an evolving funding and participation landscape, the expansion of Poetry in Action’s touring program demonstrates how strategic partnerships can unlock new opportunities for reach and equality. 

With support from InfraBuild, and as it celebrates two decades of impact, the organisation is in a strong position to extend its national footprint and support the spread of arts access that Australia so clearly demands.

For more information, visit poetryinaction.com.au