Arts advocacy always requires its champions, and Jeremy Smith has ben a constant presence in the Australian arts scene over the last 25 years. Jeremy is a Perth-based arts administrator and self-described fierce advocate and ally for difference. Jeremy joins Georgia for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the arts, on his origins in lighting design, and on advocacy that is all about turning empathy into tangible action.Jeremy is currently finishing his four-year term as senior producers at Performing Lines WA, building on his past experience in arts administration with organisations like PICA, Creative Australia, DADAA, the AWESOME Festival and ArtsWA / Department of Culture and the Arts. Jeremy has worked closely with artists, organisations and communities in all corners of the country promoting artistic bravery, self-determination and brokering opportunities. In addition to his extensive portfolio, Jeremy championed Regional and Remote Australia under the Australia Council’s Cultural Engagement Framework and helped to develop and deliver key arts and disability initiatives.For links to many of the initiatives Jeremy and Georgia discuss, check out https://heregoesnothingpod.substack.com
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Episode 6: Talking Money with Jo Malone
Talking about money can get uncomfortable but it's important to talk about it! In the arts, the world of philanthropy can be a tricky on to navigate - we all know we need to raise private funds to support the organisation and the work they create. This, expert philanthropy manager, and friend of the pod, Jo Malone returns to talk about money, how to raise it, how to give it and how to ensure you have a will.
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Episode 5: Feminist Sci Fi with Jayne Cleave
Books are such an important part of life. It’s how we understand the world better and stretch our imagination. Whether it’s only reading books about WWII conflicts or sticking to romance novels, all genres have their place and audience.This week I talk to Jayne Cleave, librarian and good friend, about her love of feminist sci fi and big alien epics. Sci fi isn’t for me - but through this chat, i may have found a way in and realised that a lot of books do fall into this genre.We also discuss the importance of of libraries in communities, beyond being a place where you loan books, and how Jayne’s career took a journey from arts marketing to publishing to working in libraries.There are many books mentioned in this conversation and you can find them all at heregoesnothingpod.substack.com we’ve also included a list from Jayne of the books she forgot to mention…
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Episode 4: What is it about Jazz? with Mace Francis
Join Mace Francis and I as we discuss his journey into jazz and what is jazz really?Raised in a creative family in regional Victoria, Dr Mace Francis is the Artistic Director of the Perth International Jazz Festival and previously the Artistic Director of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. Mace is a composer and musician and his band, the Mace Francis Orchestra released his 10th Album in 2024. Mace completed his PhD in 2015 and has undertaken a Churchill Fellowship and was composer in residence at the National Trust's Gallup House. Music in this episode is from 'No Postcode' by the Mace Francis Orchestra
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Episode 3: Talking Festivals with Vernon Guest
All across Australia, in small regional towns, communities come together turning their quiet streets into places of celebration for a Festival. Whether it is celebrating food and multiculturalism, agricultural fairs that celebrate industry and history, or contemporary arts festivals in small remote towns.These community driven cultural and arts festivals create connection, offtering hope and pride in their community… and an important part of the Australian cultural landscape.In the smallest corner of the smallest state in Australia is the headquarters of one of the country’s leading international arts festivals, Ten Days on the Island. This bi-annual festival connects Tasmania with all corners of the world and celebrates the beauty and challenges of the Island through the voices of artists.This week’s guest is the CEO of Ten Days, Vernon Guest, calling in from his office overlooking the Bass Strait in Burnie on the North West coast.Vern and I started our professional arts careers at the same time at the age of 23 at Perth Festival. Since then, Vern has worked all over the country and presented some of the most significant events in Australia. Vern now calls the North West home and understands the responsibility of his role to support and elevate artists in Australia.Join Vern and I for the next hour as we take a wide ranging conversation on the role of Festivals, artists and creative thinking. We also touch on AI, technology and the role of government.It’s worth noting that this conversation was recorded late last year, before the controversies surrounding creative australia and the upcoming federal election.
Presented by Georgia MaloneTaking a dive into the impact of arts and creativityWhat is it that makes us human, what makes us unique, and what adds value to your life? Often the answer to all of these questions can be traced back to our connection to arts, culture and creativity. The ‘Arts’ is often seen as a high brow endeavour that only some enjoy and partake in but it is in everyone’s lives, in some way. We all listen to music, read books, watch movies and connect with creativity for our enjoyment or mental health. This podcast gets to the heart of what the arts is and what it means. It will explore different topics with people who have devoted their lives to the arts in some way, to understand what drives them and how they connect with the arts on a personal level.Discussions will include the importance of a good play, how jazz can penetrate your soul, the role artists play in society, what compels people to leave their money to the local art gallery, why festivals just hit different, and how feminist sci-fi is a gateway drug.Interesting people with interesting ideas join me for interesting conversations.
Australia