Elevate your arts practice and connect with industry professionals at the City of Mandurah’s second annual Creative Symposium.

Join us for this full day catered event featuring workshops by Walk Through Walls and James Boyd from Creative Australia. It’s an excellent opportunity for arts practitioners to explore new professional avenues.

The Creative Symposium brings together individuals, creative industries, and community groups for connection, idea exchange, and professional development.

Event Facilitators:

Lead Facilitator
Bo Wong: With over 20 years of field experience across the visual arts and culture sectors, Bo has become uniquely placed to respond to the strategic needs of creatives.

Passionate about supporting wellbeing, her work addresses the unique needs of her creative community in an increasingly digital world.

Bo’s supports sustainable businesses to live alongside thriving creative practices through her professional development program including group workshops, 1:1 mentoring, multi-day retreats and the Soul Traders Podcast.

James Boyd, State Manager for Development & Partnerships (WA) at Creative Australia, has over 30 years of experience in the arts. He focuses on sustainability and has coached more than 300 arts organisations on strategic fundraising and partnerships.

Walk Through Walls specializes in strategy, community engagement, and fundraising, providing tools to help overcome financial and logistical challenges.

Event Timetable:

8:15am

Arrive at the event, order yourself something delicious from the coffee cart and get to know your fellow attendees

8:45am

Welcome and orientation

9:00am

Crafting Your Purpose Statement by Bo Wong

In this session, we’ll explore the fundamental elements of your creative practice and craft a purpose statement that you can use for your funding, applications, and communications.

10:30am

Building a More Sustainable Future in the Arts run by James Boyd from Creative Australia

Artists and arts groups are under increasing pressure to grow new revenue streams to achieve greater goals and sustainability. This seminar, ideal for independent artists and small art collectives, will explore the options available to them from local businesses, private donations and philanthropic foundations. Are we overlooking potential support from the private sector? Touching on the topics of sponsorship verses philanthropy; being fundraising ready; fundraising strategies; and applying to trusts and foundations; the talk will focus on effective use of the Australian Cultural Fund to help build a sustainable arts career or organisation.

12pm

Lunch

Take advantage of the catering provided, or visit one of the nearby local businesses for lunch

1pm

Support Mapping by Bo Wong

Create a snapshot of the support and resources for your project and/or creative practice

1:30pm

Grant Writing by Walk Through Walls

Feeling overwhelmed by grant writing? Walk Through Walls can help ease your stress with valuable tips to streamline the process. They’ve successfully raised millions for clients, from small grants to complex multimillion-dollar proposals.

This session will cover all stages of grant writing—helping you brainstorm ideas, find funding opportunities, develop budgets, plan activities, and articulate your project with passion.

2.30pm

Community Building by Bo Wong

Building community is an integral part of building and maintaining a sustainable, thriving creative practice. In this session, we’ll explore ways to build connections and community with the resources you already have.

3pm

Courage and Resilience: Overcoming Challenges in Securing Support for Your Creativity

Panel discussion featuring Bo Wong, James Boyd and Rania Ghandour discussing how to navigate and conquer challenges in trying to secure support for your creative practice.

4pm

Networking and refreshments

Reflect on the learnings of the day and connect with your fellow artists at the evening social event.

5pm

Event concludes.

Recommended Age & Warnings
Age 16+