Creative Spaces:
National Public Galleries Summit
18 - 20 July 2023 
Adelaide South Australia
Head over to our dedicated Creative Spaces Website to 
check out the program and register.
www.creativespacessummit.com  

Translating 60,000+ years of culture into contemporary form.  This theme aims to extend people’s thinking about art and culture and how, from a First Nation’s perspective it has always been embedded within everyday life.  What does this look like in 2023 and what is the role of galleries, particularly given the gallery system is based on European traditions.  How can we change things, be more accountable and make better, safer places for First Nations contemporary art making.

This theme is designed to encourage a dialogue that positions galleries as places that offer more than exhibitions and visual arts activities.  We want to interrogate the role of galleries as spaces for community activation and position them not only as hubs for creativity and cultural interactions but as key facilities, contributing to economic growth, education, social connectedness, tourism and health and wellbeing.  This theme also presents opportunities to think about cultural infrastructure in practical way, the development of precincts and how facilities with slightly different ambitions achieve synergy. 

So many opportunities to better interpret stories, places and objects in ways that are captivating and engaging.  The only challenge is how can we work respectfully with the keepers of heritage both First Nations and colonial, so as not to undermine its integrity and be 

respectful.  This theme is a provocation for galleries, artists, historians and academics to work together with a view to unpacking barriers and showcasing innovative practice to share stories in compelling and captivating ways. 

This theme takes in a range of practical things relating to managing a gallery.  Sessions will offer something for those who are looking for practical advice, knowledge and skills as well as those looking for ideas and new models.  Volunteering, collection management, retail development, public programming, curation and much more.

Partnering with other sectors improves sustainability, fosters innovation, builds audiences and creates jobs and showcasing where it is has worked well and what is possible moving forward.  Why do we want to partner with tourism, health and education – is it worth the effort, what are the barriers and how can we make it easier into the future?