Leaders Forum: Outtakes

With ten sessions over two days, intermittent poetry readings, pizza and politicians posing for pictures, our Leaders' Summit hit the notes you might expect – and more.

We talked about curiosity as having the power to bridge gaps and create new alliances.

We talked about having more support as a sector than our balance sheets might show and we talked about the confidence it takes to call on that support.

We talked about the value of being hyper-local, the need to tell uncomfortable stories and the ways we can support Government to better leverage our collective cultural assets.

Our host, Susanna Shadbolt and the team at Te Manawa opened their space to us and introduced us all to stalwarts in their community. The impact of a member-driven Forum agenda is not lost on us.

We want to give a special thanks to local MC Chris Gallavin for bringing the most incredible energy and analysis to each session.

We will bring you insights from each session on Mīharo in the months ahead.

In brief, the forum included Jenni Giblin of Funding HQ sharing her insights and expertise on how to fundraise like a boss, a tour of the display Keeping the Taonga Warm: Mina McKenzie and Call Me Maybe, a panel discussion on culture, creativity and politics and a keynote speech on the role and function of foundations for institutions by Aaron Hape of the Te Papa Foundation.

“If at first the idea does not sound absurd there is no hope for it.”

That gem, from Albert Einstein and remembered to us by former Whanganui Mayor Annette Kay Main (ONZM), kicked off a heartfelt and instructive keynote on the journey to reopen Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.

Annette reflected on the power of personal touches and individual fighting spirit in fundraising campaigns, the importance of advocacy at all levels and the value of investing early in the talent you need to get the job done.

Her generosity of spirit and sharing of honest reflections about life in the arts was echoed by all our speakers in their own fields.

Our panel discussion on day two delved into the concept of curatorial neutrality – reflecting on good practise as putting in place a framework for activism to sit within, rather than succumbing to pressure to curate-out the political.

Most of all, Leaders' Summit gave members and MA the space to connect and to forge a path for the months ahead.

If you missed out this time, please register your interest early next time.

Thank you for your time and your energy!