NSW RPG 2025 Conference - Creative Wellbeing

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.

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 COMING IN EARLY 2025!

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.