Interested in production for socially engaged art making, or how to connect better with communities and artists?

SPACED is very excited to share a fantastic opportunity with emerging producers, artists, and partner organisations. We are presenting a new 2026 series of the OPEN SPACE professional development program, courtesy of a partnership with UWA School of Design. There are 6 online workshops, beginning 29 May 2026, weekly on Fridays 3-4pm. Each workshop will include 30-45 minutes of instruction on the topics below, followed by 15 minutes of group discussion facilitated by SPACED Director Elizabeth Pedler to allow participants time to reflect on the topic, and connect with their own experiences.

Workshop speakers & topics:

Friday May 29 - Susanne Meurer (UWA): Conservation and collections management

Friday June 5 - Jacky Cheng (SPACED Rural Utopias artist): Collaborating with regional communities

Friday June 12 - Faraday Boydell (UWA): Working with Aboriginal artists and organisations, ICIP

Friday June 19 - POSTPONED

Friday June 26 - Darren Jorgensen (UWA): Exhibition making, and mining the ad-hoc archive

Friday July 3 - Rebecca McCauley (UWA): Lessons from socially engaged practice: APHIDS, Field Theory and Gathaagudu

Friday July 10 - Jen Leys (Performing Lines WA): Producing for Performance Outcomes

Note: Attendees do not need to register for separate sessions individually. Only one registration per person is necessary to receive access information and event updates for all of the sessions.

Although these workshops have been designed for emerging producers attached to the Circular Economies program, we are open to independent creatives, and arts workers from other organisations including local government are also very welcome to attend.

OPEN SPACE is a partnership between SPACED and the UWA School of Design. The project costs of OPEN SPACE have been supported by the State Government of Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, as part of Creative Development funding for SPACED 5: Circular Economies. For more information, contact us via email or connect with SPACED Programs Manager Elizabeth Pedler.

Event banner image: Open Space Narrogin producer Cheryl Wilkins at the The Fifth Element Arts Narrogin showcase with Circular Economies artists Haryo and Irene (House of Natural Fiber), photo by Danielle Halford.

More information about the OPEN SPACE program and other opportunities available on the SPACED website.

Contact the host of OPEN SPACE Online Workshop Series