NSW RPG 2025 Conference - Creative Wellbeing

TICKET SALES FOR IN PERSON REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.

The Regional Public Galleries NSW Conference will convene a group of artists, arts workers, and community leaders to delve into the powerful intersection of creativity and healing. Through an engaging mix of presentations, interactive workshops, and discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to share insights, learn from lived experiences, and uncover new strategies for using creativity as a tool for well-being.

In person registrations include lunch and refreshments during the conference. Dinner tickets need to be purchased separately.

The conference is structured around four key pillars: 

wellbeing and Country, focusing on the connection between Indigenous cultural practices, land, and holistic wellbeing; 

wellbeing and the artist, which examines artists are addressing issues of wellness in their practice and what strategies can be implemented best support artists' to make and present their work; 

wellbeing and the audience, exploring how art can create transformative and healing experiences for audiences; and

wellbeing and the sector, addressing how systemic changes in the arts industry can support sustainable and healthy environments for all. 

These themes aim to provide a comprehensive exploration of how the arts can address individual, community, and societal challenges, offering attendees a roadmap for harnessing the arts as a catalyst for healing in their personal and professional lives.

PROGRAM
Day 1: Wednesday 19 March
The day will kick off at 10am, with registrations open from 9:15am
Wellbeing and the Sector: Dr Tracey Callinan, Regional Arts NSW in conversation with Monica Davidson, Creative Plus Business
The NSW Arts and Health Framework with Marika Perrow, Health infrastructure
Wellbeing and the Sector: Mental Health Check in Workshop with Support Act
Wellbeing and the Audience: Resources and support for galleries
Wellbeing and Country: Hands on weaving workshop presented by artist Lilly Clegg and Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Conference Dinner: relaxed beachside dinner at Aanuka featuring a participatory creative activity designed by local artist, Peggy Zephyr

Day 2: Thursday 20 March
The day will start at 9am and finish up around 4pm
Wellbeing and Country: Panel discussion with local First Nations artists and cultural workers
Wellbeing and the Audience: Connecting to Place: Migrant and Refugee Support program with Gill Nicol
Wellbeing and the Artist: Jordan Valageorgiou and Ebony Wightman, We Are Studios
Exhibition Tour: Material World group exhibition; Jodie Whalen: We already know how to build a time machine – proposition; SIXTY: The Journal of Australian Ceramics 60th Anniversary 1962–2022
Breathwork with Sol Yoga
Wellbeing and the Artist: Panel discussion with Dan Elborne, Jodie Whalen and Hiromi Tango
Wellbeing and the Audience: Hands on artmaking with Hiromi Tango

Yarrila Arts and Museum, Coffs Harbour
Situated on Gumbaynggirr Country along the NSW Mid North Coast, Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) opened in September 2023 making it one of the newest public galleries in NSW.

YAM is located on the ground floor of Yarrila Place, a major cultural and civic hub for the Mid North Coast in the heart of Coffs Harbour. The name Yarrila, (pronounced, YA-re-la), is a Gumbaynggirr word that means ‘illuminate’, which encapsulates YAM’s vision of shining a light on knowledge and ideas, art, heritage, creativity and innovation.

With a wonderfully diverse natural landscape, from ancient rainforests to pristine beaches, spectacular marine parks, and an idyllic tropical climate, the Coffs Coast is the perfect place for conference delegates to come together to forge connections, refocus and recharge.

With YAM located on the NSW Mid North Coast, conference delegates can extend their stay and visit galleries in the region. Delegates can travel north to Grafton Regional Gallery, south to Nulla Regional Gallery in Kempsey and Glasshouse in Port Macquarie or west to New England Regional Art Museum.