Ballardong-born Josh McGuire is a respected and dedicated Whadjuk man and Traditional Owner. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and history of his people and delivers from his heart.

Josh’s great-grandparents’ Country was Karrkoomup (Kings Park). He has ties with the Noongar nations Ballardong, Yued, Whadjuk, Bindjareb, Wilman and Njaki Njaki. Josh received teachings from his grandparents, uncles and aunties. His biggest influence and educator was his father, Walter McGuire.

Jack Collard will share some words to set the scene for the day to open up connections to the unique borrangka (totems) of the area, and in closing the space a poem to reflect on the scenes we set.

Jack is a proud citizen of the Nyoongar nation with cultural ties that span the pristine beaches along the coast of Whadjuk country, through the wetlands of Boorloo over Kaartamoornda (Black Hills) to the granite outcrops of Ballardong Boodjar that are home to the Mungart tree.

A full-time performer, Jack sings, dances, acts and writes poetry in response to the Boodjar he is sustained by and all those that sustain her. He is a Board Director for CAN and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Engagement Organisation (ATSIIEO).

In conversation with Pilar Kasat (CEO, Regional Arts WA), Nikki Miller (A/Executive Director, Culture and the Arts, DLGSC), Jay Emmanuel (Artistic Director/CEO, Encounter), moderated by Tania Hudson (CEO, Chamber of Arts Culture WA)

Anyone who works in community arts or cultural development understands the value of collaboration – it’s at the heart of what we do. But in Western Australia we’re operating in a climate of finite funding and resources for the cultural sector, where more often than not our collaborators are also our competitors. How do we navigate that fine line between partnership and competition? Four WA arts leaders will tackle this tricky dilemma.

In conversation with Kelli McCluskey (Chief Executive Artist, pvi collective), Makaela Rowe-Fox (emerging interdisciplinary artist, writer and arts worker), Colin Walker (Director, AGWA), moderated by Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa (Executive Director, The Blue Room Theatre)

Artists have a long and storied history of being at the forefront of social and political change. Join our panel of changemakers as they discuss how artists and arts workers might pool their creative powers to make change, and how we might work together from the ground up to break norms and amplify voices.

Inspired by the creative journey of the High VisAbility project

Come play with us and explore collaborative mark-making… on a large scale. Rove between different art-making stations, exploring mediums such as neon paint sticks, charcoal and silhouettes. Discover new ways to challenge and inspire yourself and others, and explore the elements of chaos and control inherent in this collaborative creative process.

Every one of us has a story to tell. When you are able to learn how to structure your real experiences into a moving, evocative and meaningful oral story, and tell it in a way that really touches other people, you not only improve upon your communication and public speaking skills – you are also coming to a fuller understanding of yourself and the positive impact you can have on others.

Join experienced trainers from Centre for Stories, have a yarn with fellow attendees on a deeper level and learn how to craft and tell a short story inspired by your practice and journey as an artist or creative worker so far.

Join Zali Morgan, a Whadjuk, Ballardong and Wilman Noongar woman, for an immersive cyanotype workshop. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to create stunning one-of-a-kind prints using natural elements, found objects or your own designs. Learn to create unique prints using this historic photographic process. No prior experience is needed – just your creativity and curiosity! Walk away with your own beautiful cyanotype prints and the knowledge to continue experimenting at home.

Join Geri Hayden to yarn together and learn traditional eco-dyeing techniques. You’ll make your own eco-dyed piece, celebrating the native flora of the area.

Sultana has been making jewellery using gumnuts for a few years now and finds them intriguing and wonderful to work with. For her they represent the idea that jewellery does not have to be made from “precious” materials as we know them but that the crafting of adornment is what makes it precious. To make something oneself is to make something intensely personal and that is a very satisfying activity – so we invite you to sit with Sultana to make your own gumnut jewellery piece.

The Centre for Stories is a vibrant, inclusive literary arts and cultural organisation, which uses storytelling to grow skills and confidence, inspire understanding and promote community cohesion.

With a focus on cultural diversity, the Centre creates opportunities for storytellers and writers who are underrepresented in Western Australia’s creative sector. In sharing their stories with arts and community audiences, the Centre for Stories drives social change.

Colin Walker is the Director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) and the Chair of the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors.  Colin was previously the Executive Director, Culture and the Arts at the West Australian State Government’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and Director Arts and Business in the UK where he worked with major brands and some of the highest profile arts organisations. He has been on the board of organisations in the health, arts, fashion and higher education sectors.

De Cuba Son delivers the rich, vibrant rhythms and sounds of Cuban music to Perth's sunny shores. Drawing influence from legendary artists Compay Segundo and the Buena Vista Social Club, they bring the stage to life with a repertoire of original songs, iconic Cuban tracks and moving rhythms.

Geri Hayden is a strong leader in Community Development and Cultural Advisory spaces. She has worked with Aboriginal education policies, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and CAN, as Narrogin Coordinator and then Chairperson of the Aboriginal Advisory Group. An accomplished textile artist, Geri has been involved in CAN’s doll-making and textile-based projects since 2010, which have evolved into a form of cultural transmission, encouraging strength of identity and pride.

Indian-born Australian director, writer and actor Jay Emmanuel is renowned for his innovative work, on a global scale. As Artistic Director of Encounter, he directed the acclaimed works Beneath the Music and Children of the Sea at Perth Festival 2021. His performance credits include Mahabharata with Why Not Theatre/Barbican and the Helpmann Award-winning Counting and Cracking. Jay is a current Churchill Fellow and was awarded the WA Arts Award from the Office of Multicultural Interests in 2024, for his leadership in creating cross-cultural, socially engaged art.

With over 25 years' experience in contemporary experimental art, Kelli is a Boorloo/Perth-based artist, and co-founder/Chief Executive Artist of pvi collective.

Kelli advocates for emergent artforms and social practice, speaking on national and international panels and symposia, and facilitating participatory discussions on the critical role of arts in society.

Kelli is a Creative Australia peer, a special envoy to IBT Festival (UK), a member of #Feminist Educators Against Sexism (#FEAS), a member of PICA artist advisory committee and a climate champion for Better Futures Australia.

Makaela Rowe-Fox is an emerging interdisciplinary artist, writer and arts worker based in Boorloo/Perth, who is passionate about socially engaged arts and cultural practices. Current projects include solo exhibition Actional Attempt, presented by PS Art Space and Cool Change, and writing two new plays with Black Swan State Theatre Company and ATYP (NSW) for their Fresh Ink initiative (2024). Makaela was a recipient of Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award in 2019 for her leading role in the Fridays for Future movement.

Natalie Scholtz is a Persian/South African, Australian-raised visual artist, inspired by conversations around the relationship of self and society, action and response, culture, arts and change. After 15 years in arts and social engagement, Natalie works in community arts culture and development. This informs her practice and fuels conversations about her pluralistic identity, inherited culture and the experience of the in-between body in contemporary Australia.

Dr Nikki Miller is the A/Executive Director, Culture and the Arts, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). Nikki started work in academia and arts journalism before being appointed Manager at Artsource. She worked at ArtsWA and subsequently spent more than 14 years running her consultancy business, working closely with industry and all levels of government. Nikki has a reputation for excellence in steering and delivering new initiatives involving a complex mix of partners.

Nimrod devotes his time to catering and mentoring through the World Music Cafe initiative, which supports refugees and international students to integrate into life in hospitality and in Australia. Nimrod serves food inspired by the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, mothers, grandmothers, imagination and innovation, bringing home flair to home-style and traditional cuisine.

Pilar Kasat (PhD) is a Mestiza living on Whadjuk Noongar Country, with 20 years’ experience in creative engagement and intercultural dialogue with First Nations and People of Colour.  Pilar is the CEO of Regional Arts WA and served as Chair of Art on the Move, Women of Colour Australia, and Deputy Chair of Diversity Arts Australia. Her work on art and social change has been published in academic journals and industry magazines.

Sukhjit is a Boorloo/Perth-based writer, performer, producer and cultural leader, and Executive Director of The Blue Room Theatre.

Sukhjit has toured nationally and globally with her poetry and community projects. Her theatre show Fully Sikh premiered with Barking Gecko Theatre Company and Black Swan Theatre Company in 2019. She is developing a TV comedy series and producing a documentary exploring female body hair. 

Sukhjit’s debut hip-hop single Collectables is streaming on music platforms. Her debut novel will be released in 2025 with Upswell Publishing.

Sultana was born in Bombay, India and migrated to Australia with her husband and two young children. She has lived in many parts of the world since then, but Australia is home. She is a jeweller/artist who works with metals, stones, textiles, paper and wood and now nuts and seeds from Australian native trees. Her practice is inspired by the light, landscape and flora of WA.

Tegan is a Boorloo/Perth-based visual artist and arts facilitator working with people of all ages and abilities. Interested in the play between chaos and control, wild nature and social norms, public and private, her multi-disciplinary approach explores the blurred boundaries and dynamic exchange between her personal practice and collaborative facilitation.

Tania Hudson is CEO of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, the peak body for the arts, culture and creative industries sector in WA. The Chamber champions the essential place of arts and culture across WA, through leading a collective voice, demonstrating the value of arts and cultural experiences, and influencing policy to leverage investment. Tania is a stakeholder engagement, communications and governance professional who has held executive roles with the Lions Eye Institute, Minderoo, Rio Tinto and ANZ.

Boorloo-based artist Zali Morgan is a Whadjuk, Ballardong and Wilman Noongar woman, born and raised on Wardandi Boodjar. Zali has a passion for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists, particularly Noongar art/artists. She has worked with private and institutional collections, with an interest in decolonising practices. Zali’s practice spans curating, creative writing, printmaking and sculpture. In her printmaking, Zali looks at iconic buildings/spaces within the Noongar region and attempts to expose the history and significance of the sites for Noongar people.