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.

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 episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with urbanist Ben Rogers about the differing factors influencing urban planning and policy today. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato 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.