Asialink Arts Forum:
NEW DIRECTIONS FOR AUSTRALIA/ASIA ARTS PROGRAMS

University of Melbourne

In June 1999 Asialink Arts hosted the New Directions Forum at the University of Melbourne. Attended by over 60 of Australia's pre-eminent artists and arts managers, the forum focused on the issues that often arise when dealing with cultural exchange between Australia and Asia, and the strategies for moving forward in effective and exciting ways.

In the Asialink Arts Newsletter of August 1999 we highlight some of the key areas of discussion at the forum and provide a further opportunity for those in the region to consider some ideas for the future. Here on the website we have the full transcripts of the talks given during the afternoon. Seven speakers were asked to give five strategies and three issues for Australia/Asia Arts Programs covering the fields of Literature, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Arts Management.

Despite the variety of expertise and areas of concern, there were a surprising number of synergies in the issues and strategies raised by the speakers. Three key issues came from the meeting: Australia must collaborate, consolidate and continue to learn. We must collaborate across art forms and across cultures; consolidate the programs that have been successfully established; and develop the talents of artists and arts managers who are familiar and comfortable in dealing with cultural exchange in the region.

View Forum Papers by:

Carrillo Gantner, Chairman, Asialink

Literature:
Jose Borghino, Director, Australian Society of Authors

Literature:
Merlinda Bobis, poets and performer

Visual Arts:
Michael Snelling, Director of the Institute of Modern Art Brisbane

Visual Arts:
David Williams, Director of Canberra School of Art

Performing Arts:
Robin Laurie, Theatre Director

Performing Arts:
Trish Ludgate, Country Wide and Export Manager, Musica Viva

Arts Management:
Alison Carroll, Director, Asialink Arts

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• Future Directions Forum, 1999
• Museum Training Programs
• Korea Visual Arts Program
• South Asia
• Australia-Japan Arts Network
• Writings on the Wall
• Indonesian Internships in Australian Arts Organisations