Australia’s national peak body for the development of new plays, Playwriting Australia, is facing an uncertain future, with all employment positions made redundant and an independent review slated.

Playwriting Australia Artistic Director Lachlan Philpott

“Like many cultural organisations of its scale, and especially those that don’t have the benefit of box office revenue, PWA has recently faced questions of sustainability,” said PWA Chair Peter Wilson in a statement on its website. “However, we believe that this decision, while difficult, will unlock a pathway to a more sustainable and better integrated model for developing the very best plays and playwrights, and open up the pipelines to our welcoming stages.”

A wide-ranging review of play development in Australia will be conducted by independent consultant Richard Evans & Associates. According to the Board’s statement, the review has the support of the Australia Council for the Arts, which provides annual funding for PWA.

“The Australia Council is invested in the best possible outcomes for the development of Australian plays, playwrights and playwriting being provided to the theatre sector for the benefit of artists and audiences,” said the Australia Council’s Executive Director, Grants and Engagement, Frank Panucci. “We...