RESOUNDINGLY TASMANIAN.  REGIONALLY PROUD. 

On the banks of Launceston’s Kanamaluka River, in the heart of Lutruwita, ASSEMBLY 197 is the connective tissue between artists, audiences, and communities. 

VISION

A hub that vibrates with life and inspires artistic practice, where we face challenges together and share our successes. A home for always learning and expanding our awareness of different ways of working — some of which are yet to be imagined.

MISSION

Great art is made and shared when we assemble. Assembly 197 is an inclusive site for transforming artists, arts practice, and audiences; working with inquisitive artists in regional practice and connecting with curious audiences and creative communities.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

At ASSEMBLY 197, we commit to DEEP LISTENING, DEEP THINKING and DEEP LEARNING. We do this by asking questions and being guided by respectful engagement.

OUR PEOPLE

Adam Wheeler and Emma Porteus lead ASSEMBLY 197. Their connection with the arts in Lutruwita/Tasmania is lifelong and profound. These experiences have fuelled a lasting passion for the arts, and their combined thirty-five years of creative knowledge, experience, and drive are vital to ASSEMBLY 197.

Formally Co-Creative Directors, Adam and Emma, now Executive Directors, serve as co-CEOs of A197 and manage the A197 Portfolios: TASDANCE | SITUATE |ARTERY | TRIP | HUB. This evolution welcomes a new parallel leadership structure, ensuring a deep focus in key areas while fostering flexibility, cross-organisational collaboration, cohesion, and mutual support. 

Adam Wheeler: Executive Director — TASDANCE | ARTERY | HUB

Emma Porteus: Executive Director — SITUATE | TRIP

Martin Tunley: Finance and Governance Manager

Cat Kerr: Associate Producer

THE BOARD - Simon McKenzie, Alison Jales, Adrienne Picone, Ed Beswick, Jess Grace-Conroy, Karen Hall, Shelley McCuaig

ASSEMBLY 197 PORTFOLIOS

As our work continues to evolve across local, national, and international contexts, we’ve restructured to strengthen our capacity, sharpen our focus, and support sustainability across all we do.

ASSEMBLY 197 has adopted five key A197 Portfolios, ensuring that our growing organisation remains robust and has strong systems that support the creative ambition of all the artists we work with. The evolution reflects our commitment to supporting artists and responding to our time's unique challenges and opportunities.

TASDANCE

Fuses outstanding dance artists with innovative artists from other disciplines to create multifaceted contemporary dance. We know bodies love to dance, and we passionately engage communities in dance-making around Tasmania and beyond.

SITUATE

An artist development program dedicated to developing bold and experimental work by regionally based emerging and mid-career artists from all disciplines. It prioritises artistic excellence while ensuring the process and results benefit artists.

ARTERY

ARTERY believes everyone should be able to experience art-making by delivering bespoke programs designed to reach every corner of Lutruwita/Tasmania. ARTERY portfolio currently holds the SmArts program with the Smith Family, the Ashley Youth Detention Centre Dance program, DW4S (Dance Works for Schools), Launnie Can Dance, and school workshops

TRIP

The TRIP Residency Program is ASSEMBLY 197’s residency program, supporting both inbound and outbound creative residencies across all art forms. Rooted in Lutruwita/Tasmania’s rich cultural and environmental context, TRIP offers artists time, space, and connection, fostering bold, place-based practice and meaningful exchange locally, nationally, and internationally.

HUB

Our home at 197 Wellington Street is an inclusive site for transforming inquisitive artists, regional arts practice, and connecting with creative communities and curious audiences. We host three in-house organisations—Stompin, Mudlark, and Rooke—and offer hot desk spaces and short-term accommodation. The Hub portfolio also directs the newly named Community Program, replacing the Public Program.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

THE ALCHEMY OF LIVE ARTS

ASSEMBLY 197 is an innovative and exploratory space for interrogating arts practice and how it connects us to place, artists, audiences and communities.‬

ASSEMBLY 197 champions interdisciplinary arts encounters and awakens creative pursuits that can only be realised through collaboration.

ASSEMBLY 197 is committed to investing in artists and projects spanning multiple years, ensuring time to fuel concepts, develop strong partnerships, and deliver memorable and impactful creative experiences.

OUR FOUR INTENTIONS

CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE – Creating conditions for safe, equitable work.

NURTURE BOLD ART – Supporting artists and producers to deliver ambitious work.

CONNECT + ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY(S) – Building strong and respectful partnerships.

FOSTER ORGANISATIONAL VITALITY – Ensuring Assembly 197 is sustainable, strategic, and fit for purpose.