How does Test Drive the Arts work?
Potential patron chooses a performance from one of the specially selected Test Drive the Arts shows. Product on offer will vary from venue to venue and seasonally depending on what the performing arts companies are staging. Throughout the 12 months of the Test Drive program there will be a variety of genres offered.
What venues and companies have shows in Test Drive?
Performing arts venues and companies are participating across Queensland.
These are:
Are all shows at these venues part of Test Drive?
No. Participating performing arts venues and companies have been asked to select programming that AQ believes people who are new to the arts will enjoy the most.
Does it cost to participate in Test Drive?
There is no charge for first round Test Drive the Arts tickets and no obligation to accept any subsequent offers from venues or companies.
Am I eligible for Test Drive?
There is a general '3 year' rule of thumb which applies to Test Drive offers.
If the offer is from a participating performing arts company (eg Queensland Ballet), and you haven't attended a performance by that company in the last three years you should be eligible.
If the offer is from a participating performing arts venue (eg Brisbane Powerhouse), and you haven't attended a performance at that venue in the last three years you should be eligible.
Special conditions apply to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). So even if you've attended a performance at QPAC in the last three years you may still be eligible for Test Drive offers from QPAC.
How do people participate in Test Drive?
Registration is simple – people can browse through the performances detailed on the Test Drive Website and follow the prompts and links. Some venues offer a completely on-line way of registering and people will be referred to a special Test Drive part of their ticketing website to register for a performance. Other venues may ask people to complete a simple contact details form which will be forwarded automatically by e-mail to the venue from the Test Drive website. The venue will then personally contact you either by e-mail or phone to register you for Test Drive.
What are the terms and conditions for Test Drive?
The following terms and conditions apply to all Test Drive the Arts patrons:
Tickets for Test Drive the Arts are subject to availability.
The number of tickets reserved for Test Drive is at the discretion of the performing arts venues or companies.
Eligibility for Test Drive is conditional on not having attended a live performance at a participating performing arts venue or company in the last 3 years. Exceptions may apply at the discretion of the venue or company.
Venues and companies reserve the right to cross-match Test Drive ticket holder details with their existing patron database.
Please choose carefully the performance you want to attend. Complimentary Test Drive the Arts tickets are only issued once to any individual.
Other venue or performance specific conditions may apply. Any additional conditions will be specified on this website
You may receive other special offers from the performing arts venue or company.
Tickets are not for re-sale although they may be transferred to another person.
Transferred ticket holders must meet the same eligibility criteria for Test Drive and must advise the venue of their contact number.
If I register for the first round, what are my commitments to later Test Drive offers?
Test Drive is about getting people to go back to the theatre – it is also about feedback and finding out why people do/don't go to see performing arts.
Depending on the performance and venue you've attended you'll receive either a printed feedback form with your tickets or a feedback e-mail after the performance. It will be quick and easy to complete and will help improve Test Drive.
If people have enjoyed their Test Drive experience, the company or venue who invited them to be their guest, will make other special Test Drive offers. People are under no obligation to take up any other offers. Second round offers will vary and may involve some cost (eg people may be offered a very substantial discount or a two for one offer).
How do I receive my tickets?
Test Drivers will be issued with a complimentary double pass (2 tickets) by the venue or performing arts company staging their show. Normally they will be sent in the mail – arrangements may vary between venues. Where different arrangements apply the venue or company will contact you to advise a convenient way to issue your tickets.
Can people choose what performance they want to attend?
Yes. People can choose the venue and time and date of the performance from those on offer.
Can people register more than once for Test Drive?
No. Test Drive the Arts. Complimentary Test Drive tickets are only issued once to any individual. Venues and companies reserve the right to cross-match Test Drive ticket holder details with their existing patron database.
How many tickets are available?
More than 1,000 tickets on the day of our launch on 31 August.
Will there be more tickets available?
The Test Drive program will run for 12 months through to September 2008 so new performances will be added to the Test Drive offers all the time. Some venues have quiet periods particularly around the Christmas/New Year break when programming on offer is limited.
Why do some participating venues not have current Test Drive Offers?
There can be a number of reasons: the allocated tickets for Test Drive may have all been snapped up. When this happens the show may be removed from the website. Venues and companies have also been asked to specially select programs for audiences that are new to the arts. So not all participating partners may have programming in Test Drive at any given time.
Why are State and Federal Governments supporting Test Drive?
Both Arts Queensland, the state government's arts body, and the Australia Council at the federal level, have committed funding to Test Drive the Arts. Both want to give more people the opportunity to experience the world class live performances that Queenslanders can now find right in their own back yard. They also want to support our performing arts venues and companies by growing audiences and making our performing arts sector economically and artistically more sustainable.
What does a potential patron do if they can't register online?
Queensland has adopted an online delivery model for Test Drive and all patrons need to register online. Individuals who do not have access to the internet at home should use public access internet facilities such as public libraries. There is no cost to register online for Test Drive.
Test Drive is an opt-in program and the government does not direct any venue or company to participate and as a result, while Test Drive has a strong state-wide presence, in may not be practically accessible to Queenslanders in the most remote parts of the state.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and the Arts) 2007.
