Critical Conversations 2026

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS Bringing together visual artists, designers and makers from across regional Lutruwita, Critical Conversations is a one-day, in-person sector gathering. It aims to build professional capacity and facilitate conversations about the challenges and opportunities of working creatively in a Tasmanian context, as well as strengthen connections between creatives working from the regions.  Funded by Creative Australia, Critical Conversations responds to issues raised by Tasmanian artists at a sector gathering in 2025 and will give focus to the critical barriers faced by artists and makers working outside our two major cities.  Contemporary Art Tasmania has worked with Creative Australia, Design Tasmania, Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery and Regional Arts Network Tasmania to steward this gathering. PROGRAM Sector Cycles and Career Pathway Mapping for Visual Arts, Craft and Design in Lutruwita (and beyond) Facilitated by Travis Tiddy with Lola Greeno, Tom O’Hern and Kelly Austin. The panel will discuss the vulnerabilities and strengths of the regional and remote Tasmanian context, particularly in relation to navigating professional creative. They will talk about how our context can be embraced, working with the psychological barrier of the Bass Strait and why language is important.  Movement Practice: Arrive, Rinse, Play with Adam Wheeler from Assembly 197 A 20-minute movement session inviting participants to arrive in their present bodies, let go of the day and move together. Drawing on Tai Chi and contemporary movement practices, we’ll explore connection, curiosity and collective presence, creating space to loosen up, feel good and embrace the joy of being a little daggy. ...and more to be announced! Funded by Creative Australia, this gathering is brought together by Contemporary Art Tasmania, Design Tasmania, Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery, Regional Arts Network Tasmania and Sawtooth ARI.