Apple & Sydney Opera House launch yearlong arts tie-up

Apple and the Sydney Opera House have agreed to a yearlong collaboration focused on creative programmes for young people and activity linked to the Opera House's Centre for Creativity.

The partnership begins with a new projection work, Illuminating Creativity, which will appear on the eastern Bennelong sails across three evenings in late March. It features original artworks created on iPad in the Procreate app by 10 emerging Australian artists.

The public will also be able to take part. Apple Store locations across Australia will host free Today at Apple sessions in mid-March, inviting participants to make digital artworks on iPad and submit them for consideration in the projection.

Selected works from the commissioned artists and public submissions will be curated and shown on the sails. The projection is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on March 25, and 8:00 p.m. on March 26 and March 27.

Children's Festival

A central element of the collaboration focuses on young audiences at the Opera House. Apple will become the founding partner of a new international children's festival, which the Opera House plans to present later this year.

The two organisations also plan interactive programming and experiences for young people at the venue. The collaboration includes support for the Opera House's Centre for Creativity, described as a purpose-built home for hands-on creative participation.

They will also explore ways to use technology in Opera House programming and visitor experiences, as part of a broader effort to expand access to initiatives connected with Australian art, design, and culture.

The Opera House said the partnership supports its ambition to be "Everyone's House". Louise Herron AM, chief executive officer of the Sydney Opera House, linked the collaboration to upcoming highlights across the year.

"The Sydney Opera House, like Apple, is synonymous with creativity. This collaboration is a natural fit between two organisations that continue to search for new ways for people to experience the world. From our first international children's festival to exciting programming highlights throughout the year, Apple's support will enable us to inspire and welcome more of the community in line with our ambition to be Everyone's House." - Louise Herron AM, CEO, Sydney Opera House

iPad Art

The projection centres on work made with Procreate, a digital illustration app developed by Tasmanian company Savage Interactive. Procreate runs on iPad and iPhone and has built an international user base among illustrators and digital artists.

Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, described the collaboration as part of the company's broader focus on creativity.

"For 50 years, Apple has been at the forefront of empowering creativity, providing tools that allow people to imagine, design, and share their unique visions with the world. The yearlong collaboration with the Sydney Opera House and Illuminating Creativity is a celebration of this legacy, bringing together the incredible talent of Australian artists and the transformative power of iPad and Procreate. We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic Australian cultural landmark to help inspire the next generation of creatives," Joswiak said.

Savage Interactive said the collaboration reflects a shared interest in digital creation on touch devices. James Cuda, Procreate's chief executive officer, pointed to Apple Pencil and multitouch as central to how the app is used.

"Procreate was born from the belief that multitouch and Apple Pencil could transform the experience of creating digital art. Fifteen years later, this initiative with Apple and the Sydney Opera House underscores our shared commitment to making powerful creative tools accessible to everyone, from beginners to professional artists," Cuda said.

Artist Pathway

Perth-based illustrator Rebecca Mills, one of the participating artists, first encountered Procreate at a Today at Apple session at Apple Perth City, according to the announcement. Her subsequent work has included exhibitions, children's books, prints, puzzles, packaging, and murals.

She described the impact of working on iPad and the prospect of seeing her work projected onto the Opera House.

"Procreate on iPad Pro with Apple Pencil Pro has been a complete game changer for my career, allowing me to create professional-level artwork from virtually anywhere. The fact that Procreate is an Australian-born success story makes it extra special. If you had told me at that first Today at Apple session that I'd one day be using iPad Pro and Procreate to design artwork to be projected onto the Sydney Opera House, I wouldn't have believed you. Using these amazing tools to design artwork for such an iconic canvas is a privilege, and I can't wait to see my work light up the sails. It will definitely be a pinch-me moment."

The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's busiest performing arts centres and a major tourism site. It sits on the UNESCO World Heritage List and hosts a wide range of performances and public programming. The collaboration adds workshops and digital art activity alongside the venue's existing schedule, with the children's festival planned for later in the year.