Invigorate your arts practice and gain a deeper understanding of your creative processes at the City of Mandurah’s first Creative Symposium.

The Creative Symposium is an annual program for individuals, creative industries and community groups to engage with each other, share ideas and participate in professional development. The inaugural event is a full-catered, day-long offering featuring workshops by Shona Erskine and Anna Louise Richardson, in addition to social networking opportunities.

Event Facilitators:

Shona Erskine is a skilled psychologist and coach, specialising in the neuroscience of creative practice. She will guide you through how the brain works through inspiration, innovation and offer some micro skills that will help you get yourself into the creative mode and make the most of your practice.

Anna Louise Richardson is a professional artist and freelance curator working with art institutions, festivals, and organisations across Australia. Her workshop will offer you advice with strategic thinking and taking your arts practice where you want it to go. She will explore how to express your ideas, apply for venues and funding, tap into existing networks and partnerships and ways to find your voice and niche.

Event Timetable:
8:15am

Arrive at the event, order yourself something delicious from the coffee cart and get to know your fellow attendees

8:50am

Local Artist Presentation

9am

The micro skills of creativity by Shona Erskine

This workshop focuses on creative practice, concept development, and growing ideas. The content is relevant to various disciplines and artists of all different levels to identify their personal creative path. Acquire creative skills that you can incorporate into your existing repertoire. Learn about the mental processes that are involved in creativity and how to get your brain into a creative mode.

12pm

Lunch (catering by Mataya Eatery)

Take advantage of the catering provided, or visit one of the nearby local businesses for lunch

12.45pm

Local Artist Presentation

1pm

Strategic Thinking by Anna Louise Richardson

This workshop will discuss, with an experienced facilitator, the behind the scenes of how to grow your art practice where you want it to go. This session will cover ways of expressing ideas, applying for venues, funding sources, actioning existing resources and networks towards a goal, seeking partnerships, different models for exhibitions and ways to find your voice and niche. Facilitator Anna Louise Richardson will draw on her experience of different exhibition models over the last 10 years with illustrated examples, anecdotes, useful resources and practical tips. There will be opportunity to focus discussion to the group’s interests, and plenty of time for questions about strategically working towards your career aspirations and the support available along the way.

3.15pm

Local Artist Presentation

3.30pm

Curatorial Insights

Panel discussion featuring James Walker, Anna Louise Richardson and Sanda Murray, discussing their approaches to curating arts experiences.

4.45pm onwards

Networking and refreshments

Reflect on the learnings of the day and connect with your fellow artists at the evening social event, while enjoying the beautiful music of Sunny Day.

Recommended Age & Warnings
Age 16+