A flagship international creative exchange

Indonesian production professionals at the inaugural IndoTekno Scenography and Design Workshop at Gelanggang Inovasi & Kreativitas UGM in Yogyakarta (25-27 September 2025). Photo: Agung Prasetyo.

In September 2025, UMAC launched IndoTekno, a flagship training program for Indonesian theatre production professionals encouraging hands-on learning and creative exchange.

Delivered in collaboration with University partners, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and supported by Asialink, and cultural agency Turning World, supported by the Victorian Government, the program builds on the strong cultural and educational partnership between Victoria and the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia.

IndoTekno opens doors for mid-career Indonesian theatre technicians and production managers to gain international experience, develop their technical and creative skills, and expand their professional networks across Melbourne’s creative sector.

The program commenced with three Victorian College of the Arts academics – Anna Cordingley, Martyn Coutts and Matt Scott – presenting a three-day Scenography and Design workshop at Gelanggang Inovasi & Kreativitas UGM in Yogyakarta for 24 production professionals from around Indonesia.

From this cohort, four participants were selected to visit Melbourne for a four-week period. During their time in Australia, they took part in workshops at the University of Melbourne and learnt directly from industry experts through tailored placements with leading Victorian arts companies.

The group of Indonesian theatre makers with members of the UMAC team on a tour of the Arts and Cultural Building in Parkville. Photo credit: University of Melbourne

This pilot program developed participants’ technical and management expertise while deepening cultural understanding and shared learnings between Australia and Indonesia. After returning home, participants shared their knowledge with peers in Indonesia, helping to expand skills and create opportunities across their communities and the broader arts sector.

As part of the program, a group of Faculty of Arts academics are undertaking a year-long research project to identify the impacts of the program in both the Australian and Indonesian creative industries.

IndoTekno is one of the first programs delivered under the Victoria–Yogyakarta Memorandum of Understanding, with funding provided by the Victorian Government.