Western Sydney University hosts renowned museum director
Western Sydney University will host the inaugural director of one of the world’s leading museums of art and design as part of a visit exploring inclusivity in the arts.
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of V&A East in London will visit the University from 24 August to 3 September to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities to collaborate between the two organisations.
A renowned museum director, cultural historian, writer, and broadcaster, Dr Casely-Hayford said his aspirations for V&A East are to create an institution that can truly connect with both new and established audiences, and to build an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and connected.
“I am deeply grateful to Western Sydney University for this generous invitation. I am a huge fan of the university and its community of academics and students – and a particular admirer of the innovation and ambition shown in shaping courses and programmes that speak to this time and this generation of students,” said Dr Casely-Hayford.
“We might live and work in communities on opposite sides of the globe – but as I have discovered, East London and Western Sydney are connected by history, by culture, by similar patterns of shifting demographics and political complexity – but also by a commitment to find fitting responses to the emerging post-pandemic culture and the profound generational shift in consciousness. I feel enormously privileged to be able to spend time with this special community sharing thoughts of how we might respond to this fascinating climacteric.”
As part of the visit, Dr Casely-Hayford will deliver a series of inspiring keynotes, participate in panels and student workshops, and tour a range of art and creative facilities from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. He will also explore the role of community participation in the arts, including research and initiatives at Western Sydney University, an institution located in one of the fastest growing, economically important, and culturally diverse regions within Australia.
Dolla Merrillees, Director of Western Sydney Creative at Western Sydney University said the visit was a unique opportunity to forge collaborative cultural research and curriculum partnerships.
“The University is pleased to host Dr Gus Casely-Hayford as the inaugural Director of one of the most significant and ambitious developments in the UK for international cultural exchange, and to have the opportunity to explore meaningful opportunities to share learnings and collaborate with V&A East,” said Ms Merrillees.
Other highlights of the visit include Dr Casely-Hayford delivering a keynote presentation to staff and students at the University’s Parramatta South campus on 30 August titled, ‘Creative citizenship and why is it important for the cultural wellbeing of communities’.
He will also speak as part of the Sydney Opera House’s Talks & Ideas series on 28 August exploring the topic, ‘Listening, learning, crafting: making museums for an inclusive future’ which follows the University having recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sydney Opera House to build on a shared vision for bold and inspiring creative expression, renewal, and community.
Dr Karin Louise from the School of Education leads ground-breaking curriculum on creative living and cultural wellbeing, an emerging international field encompassing participation in the arts, connection to place and intersecting influences upon identity.
She said making spaces for the community, including young people, to participate in art will develop critical skills and enact change in society to move us from our creative vision to practical action.
“The University has pioneered unique Creative Living and Cultural Wellbeing minors, where students use art making to create a social action project in partnership with creative, cultural, and non-profit community organisations nurturing innovative and long-term collaborative partnerships,” said Dr Louise.
“This is one of many initiatives Dr Casely-Hayford will be invited to learn more about through participating in student workshops as part of the visit.”
ENDS
22 August 2023
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