katelarsenkeys

Preparing a cultural policy scorecard

After nearly a decade without a national policy, and a Federal election in sight, the cultural sector is suddenly awash with plans to make a plan.

Reading and writing in 2021

2021 was another difficult year, but one that interspersed bleak blank numbness with the first few stirrings of hope. Hope for the world, but also hope that my ability to think, write and create may (eventually) return.

Resetting our arts boards

Many (if not most) of us are part of the hugely messy and even more misunderstood space that is not-for-profit governance in Australia.

We report to boards, or report to people who report to boards. We apply to the organisations they oversee for our jobs, grants and opportunities. We are board members ourselves.

But this governance model is broken. Even when they’re working well, our boards are usually much harder work than either board members or staff members would like. And good boards can become bad boards in the space of one AGM.

The art of connection

In addition to its many theatres, museums and galleries, Adelaide’s city centre is home to dozens of smaller cultural spaces in which artist and creatives make, share and sell their work.

I was commissioned by City of Adelaide to produce The Art of Connection, a research and advocacy paper about the importance of inner city artist spaces.

List of Aussie publishers

It’s been a while since I updated my list of Aussie publishers, which is still one of the most-read pages on this website.

So, with the end of another year and everyone’s new year writing resolutions back in sight, here are some of the Australian trade publishers currently or soon to open to unsolicited manuscripts.

Our hybrid (accessible) future

COVID-19 rushed the world into digital and hybrid ways of working faster than anyone could have imagined. Unsurprisingly, this led to a lot of reverse-engineering, working-it-out-on-the-job, and many of us getting things wrong. However, it also led to new ways of working and making from which many don’t want to return.

Isolation (re)reading recommendations

When the world gets hard, I turn back to my bookshelf. Re-reading is solace, my superpower and my safe space.

Changing the culture of arts governance

A new report from the Australia Council for the Arts, the Institute of Community Directors (ICDA) and Our Community has shone the spotlight on arts governance in Australia.

Adelaide arts organisations take their work online

When the first COVID-19 lockdowns hit last year, many vulnerable and marginalised communities became immediately more marginalised. In response, Adelaide’s artists and arts organisations took their work online as a way to keep showing up for people suddenly disconnected from their communities, and to make sure their diverse stories and experiences could be shared.

Putting people first post COVID-19

Managing team wellbeing can be a challenge at the best of times – and the best of times seem very far away.

As we settle into our newest new-normal, our teams are stressed and preoccupied. Many are still recovering from being distanced from the social, cultural and creative interactions important for their health and happiness. Many are still adjusting to what it means to re-engage with the world.