Magnetic Places Artist Development Series 2025

The Magnetic Places Artist Development Series supports local creative artists interested in delivering placemaking and community engaged arts practice in Penrith. Renowned Western Sydney based arts organisation CuriousWorks will deliver 3 workshops in June where participants will: 

• Build capacity around creative placemaking
• Learn community engaged arts best practices 
• Craft compelling project proposals

Reserve your FREE spot at one or all three of the Magnetic Places Artist Development Series Workshops. Light catering will be provided. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enhance your artistic creativity!

Applies to all workshops

Time: 5pm-7pm 

Location: St Marys Community Centre - Meeting Room 1 (Access via Collins or Swanston Streets, St Marys) 

Workshop Details:

Tuesday 3 June - Workshop 1 (Foundations of Community-Engaged Arts)

This workshop will introduce you to core principles and practices of community arts and working with community

Tuesday 10 June - Workshop 2 (Creative Placemaking)

This workshop will support you in developing project ideas and explore how to activate public spaces.

Tuesday 17 June - Workshop 3 (From Concept to Pitch)

This workshop will support you to prepare and refine project proposals for grant submissions. 

Organisation Information

CuriousWorks is a renowned Western Sydney-based arts organisation working at the intersection of contemporary multi-arts practice and community cultural development. The organisation collaborates with communities and artists to create bold, inclusive works that reflect the richness and complexity of modern Australia. Through storytelling, screen, digital media and emerging art forms, CuriousWorks nurtures the next generation of cultural leaders and helps shape a vibrant, equitable cultural future.

Facilitator Information

Kiriaki Zakinthinos

A writer and arts professional dedicated to building a more inclusive and democratic cultural landscape that reflects the diversity of lived experiences in Australia. With a background across government, small-to-medium arts organisations, and independent production, her practice centres on cultural equity, community voice, and storytelling.

Vandana Ram

An artist, curator and cultural leader with over two decades of experience in community-based arts practice, cultural development, and advocacy. A key figure in shaping Western Sydney’s creative landscape, she was the founding Director of Bankstown Arts Centre and continues to explore themes of migration, place, and belonging through her visual arts practice.

Kobra Sayyadi

A theatremaker and interdisciplinary artist from South-West Sydney working across poetry, theatre, and film to tell stories that challenge, uplift, and provoke. Her practice is grounded in collaboration and community, with recent credits including co-writing and directing for PYT Fairfield, Monkey Baa Theatre, and the Sydney Review of Books.