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 Stephanie Fortunato talks with Matthew Che Kowal and Molly North, founders of Majestic Collaborations – a company that takes an experiential learning approach to community preparedness, specifically using music, art, and cultural festivals as an immersive classroom. The three discuss Majestic Collaborations’ Four Pillars model for successful events: Safety, Sustainability, Accessibility, and Community Engagement.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke talks with Elly Andriopoulou, Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The two discuss the origins and evolution of SNFCC – as well as its early successes, stemming from a strong vision of enacting social impact and the ambition to be a cultural center for all. Criena wraps up the episode with her thoughts on Australia’s recently released National Cultural Policy.

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 Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Simon Cane, Director of Cultural Engagement at UCL, and Chair of the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter. They talk about the ingredients and deep understanding of context required to shape cultural and educational powerhouses that promote inclusive growth, diversification within the sector, and community engagement.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Ramon Marrades, urban economist and Director at Placemaking Europe. The two explore creative bureaucracy, how to create a strong public policy, if strategies should shift post-covid, Placemaking Week Europe 2022 in Pontevedra (27-30 Sept), and much more.

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 Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Rosie Dow, Manager of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health at UCL. They talk about Rosie’s new role at UCL, her previous work leading “HARP”, the health benefits of singing, as well as the essential role of networks in the field of arts and health.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, about The Bentway’s artful and playful approach to activating public spaces – as illustrated by their 2021 Playing in Public season and accompanying Play Provocations resource that encourages cities to become more play-friendly. After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

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 Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District. They talk about the importance of collaboration amongst cultural leaders and institutions, especially in times of crisis, in enabling resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – as illustrated by the We Are Dallas Arts initiative. After, Stephanie is joined by Criena Gehrke 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, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue. After, Criena is joined Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Manal Ataya, the Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority. They discuss the educational value of the arts, particularly in terms of promoting inclusivity and diversity as well as cultivating empathy. After, Criena is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss 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.