Reading group, meets salon, meets networking drinks. Join us at the IMA for Essay Club. Whether you’re a university student, emerging arts worker, artist, or someone who thinks critically about culture, there’s space at the table.

Each session, our well-read friends from the neighbourhood will select a text that’s shaping their ideas, conversations, and approaches to contemporary arts practice. We dig into the ideas together, with a focus on how global conversations might translate locally.

To kick off Essay Club, join Madeline Brewer as she dissects The Social Turn by Claire Bishop (2006), and Maria Lind's The Collaborative Turn (2007). These two texts examine artists' longstanding interest in collectivity and collaboration. Together, we'll unpick the texts to ask: Why do artists want or need to connect with the public through art? Is meaningful social engagement possible? Is the art gallery an appropriate venue? How and when is 'community' manufactured? Is collaboration always 'good'?

Madeline will discuss her path to working as Manager of Public Programs & Education at the IMA, her curatorial and regional experience, and share examples of 'good' and 'bad' collaborative projects she has worked on. She will also give an overview of Essay Club — what to expect and key dates for the rest of the year. Don't miss it.

Your Essay Club hosts for 2026 include Nicholas Aloisio-Shearer (Institute of Modern Art), Holly Anderson (Artist), Madeline Brewer (Institute of Modern Art), Elena Dias-Jayasinha (Museum of Brisbane), Holly Eddington (Milani Gallery), Jocelyn Flynn (UQ Art Museum), Tay Haggarty (Outer Space), Llewellyn Millhouse (Wreckers Artspace), and Holly Riding (State Library of Queensland).

Join us for pizza and cold drinks. Everyone welcome. Space is limited. Registrants will be emailed the essays upon registration.

Contact the host of Essay Club No.1: Madeline Brewer on The Collaborative Turn