The Country Air is a FREE monthly online discussion panel presented by Regional Arts NSW, exploring the issues most relevant to regional artists, arts workers and arts organisations. Attendees will hear from arts leaders working across regional NSW and be able to participate in a Q&A session in response to the live discussion.
MARCH SESSION PART II – Why Should I Vote for You?
The NSW State election is looming. What does the arts in regional NSW most need right now and into the future and which government is best to deliver this?
Moderator: Dr Tracey Callinan
Panellist: The Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Regional Youth
MARCH SESSION PART I – Why Should I Vote for You?
The NSW State election is looming. What does the arts in regional NSW most need right now and into the future and which government is best to deliver this?
Moderator: Dr Tracey Callinan
Panellist: The Hon. John Graham, MLC, Shadow Minister for the Arts, Shadow Minister for the North Coast, Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Minister for Roads, Shadow Minister for Night Time Economy and Music
FEBRUARY SESSION – Gender, Sexuality, and the Arts in Regional NSW
To coincide with Sydney World Pride, The Country Air 2023, hosted by Dr Sally Blackwood, kicks off with a timely discussion on Gender, Sexuality and the Arts in Regional NSW.
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Miss Cadance Bell, Will Miller & Brett Boulton, Gavin Prendergast
DECEMBER SESSION – Celebrating Regional Arts & Culture
Dr. Sally Blackwood in conversation with arts leaders in the NSW RADO program Rose Marin, Kerry-Anne Jones and Tim Kurylowicz for the last session of The Country Air for 2022.
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Tim Kurylowicz (Eastern Riverina Arts), Rose Marin (Southern Tablelands Arts), Kerry-Anne Jones (South West Arts)
NOVEMBER SESSION – Working on Country
Living and working on County is at the core of what we do and who we are. How do First Nations protocols guide and shape creative practice and help us to ensure we work collaboratively and respectfully on Country.
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Jane Fuller (Arts Northern Rivers), Scotia Monkivitch (Creative Recovery Network), Sandy McNaughton (National Emergency Management Agency)
OCTOBER SESSION – Arts and Cultural Recovery in a Time of Change
Regional Australia has been at the forefront of coping with natural disasters and the effects of climate change. The arts sector is impacted by these events but also has a role in the recovery of communities. This panel will delve into what this can look like and why the arts needs to be more recognised for its part in being prepared for disaster and assisting communities to recover.
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Jane Fuller (Arts Northern Rivers), Scotia Monkivitch (Creative Recovery Network), Sandy McNaughton (National Emergency Management Agency)
SEPTEMBER SESSION – The Role of Service Organisations in the Arts Ecology
Service organisations rarely produce any arts product, so what is their value? What is their place in the arts ecology? Should they be competing with producing companies for precious arts funding dollars and what do they do to strengthen the arts sector?
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Margie Breen (TNN), Brett Adlington (M&GNSW), Penelope Benton (NAVA), Andrew Gray (South East Arts)
AUGUST SESSION – National Cultural Policy
Regional arts leaders discuss what is key in the formation of a National Cultural Policy. Join the panel discussion to hear what regional arts leaders think the key priorities for our sector are, and how the National Cultural Policy might address them.
Moderator: Dr Sally Blackwood
Panellists: Dr Tracey Callinan, Djon Mundine OAM, Vic McEwan, Dr Lindy Hume AM