Our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Shain Shapiro, one of the world’s leading music policy thinkers and advocates, founder of Sound Diplomacy, director of the Center for Music Ecosystems, and author of ‘This Must be the Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better’.

In this episode, our host, Adrian Ellis, speaks with Marcus Desando, Director of the Prince Claus Fund. They discuss the role of arts and culture in today’s global socio-economic landscape, the importance of trust and mentorship for the sector, and how the Prince Claus Fund’s distinctive approach uplifts creative individuals committed to making meaningful changes in challenging contexts.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Hilary Knight, Senior Consultant at AEA Consulting. The two focus on all things digital within the cultural sector; from engaging online and in-person audiences to the importance of developing digital strategies, Hilary shares her extensive knowledge on this crucial and fast-evolving field.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Botswana-based curator, DJ, and arts journalist Basadi Dibeela. Basadi shares her cultural journey that spanned various disciplines, in various countries and continents. The two then talk about Basadi’s recently published article for GCDN, Opportunities for Cultural Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from attending the GCDN 2022 Convening.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vincent Chang, Deputy Chairman and Partner at Grimshaw Architects. Together, they explore the distinctive contribution of architecture. Having been with Grimshaw for over 20 years, Vincent also talks about his role managing the practice, and how vital it is for all to share a strong commitment to process – emphasizing the importance of understanding projects more holistically.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesper Koefoed-Melson, Founding Director of Kulturdistriktet, about activating unique spaces in Copenhagen with cultural events and festivals – fostering a vibrant community and enriching the city’s cultural landscape.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Linda C. Harrison, Director & CEO, about her bold leadership agenda to transform the Newark Museum of Art into a relational organisation that not merely sits in, but belongs to its community. After, Adrian is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive of the Powerhouse Museum in Australia. They unpack the visionary approach she has crafted over her career of shaping cultural institutions and precincts into culturally and commercially vibrant hubs. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal in Dubai. They discuss how Alserkal’s commitment to facilitating open dialogue, mapping geographies of practice, and building a repository of knowledge for future generations have catalysed the development of a cultural ecosystem that goes beyond physical infrastructure. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Kingsley Jayasekera, former Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, at the West Kowloon Cultural District. They reflect on his near decade-long experience in Hong Kong and discuss the importance of cultivating arts audiences through creating holistic customer experiences – and using social media for outreach and engagement. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Veronica Smith, author of "When Communities Disappear". They discuss the interdependent relationship between economic and community development, and emphasize the imperative need to build and sustain healthy communities by being authentic and enabling access to resources. After, Stephanie is joined by Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with author and renowned urban expert Charles Landry. They go over his remarkable career, retracing the route and influences which led him to his famed Creative City concept. They also discuss his current focus on creative bureaucracy – best illustrated by his annual Creative Bureaucracy Festival. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to explore key takeaways.

In this episode, Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesse Cameron Alick, about his recently published study, commissioned by the Sundance Institute, based on extensive interviews of artists, arts administrators and thought leaders. The focus is the state of live performance as we 'emerge from the cave' of Covid. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research and Analysis at the NEA in the US, about the increasing global demand for research, information and statistics to demonstrate the value of the arts. They also discuss the need for more longitudinal and qualitative research, especially community-based participatory studies. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Jia-Ping Lee, an urban rejuvenator and place consultant based in Malaysia, about her inspirational journey as a placemaker who has been advocating and creating better places to live, work and play. After, Stephanie is joined by Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, about his relational journey and global experiences in the arts, which highlights the importance of producing cultural programmes that address current social needs, and are co-created with communities. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Diane Ragsdale, Director and Co-Lead Faculty of the Cultural Leadership Program at Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, about the need for transformational cultural leadership. After, Stephanie is joined by Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Victoria Broackes, the Director of the London Design Biennale. Drawing on her curatorial experiences, they talk candidly about the challenges facing cultural programming. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this inaugural episode, our host Adrian Ellis, speaks with Claire Spencer, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne. Afterwards, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this bonus pilot episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Adrian Ellis, Founder and Chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN) about the origins of the podcast. Afterwards, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.