Shows
The Three BellsS4:E2 From Calgary with Love... Alex Sarian & Nicholas Bell in conversation with Criena GehrkeIn her swan song as a host for The Three Bells, Criena Gehrke (Executive Director, Queensland Theatre) speaks with two leading figures in Calgary’s arts and culture scene, Alex Sarian (President & CEO, Arts Commons) and Nicholas R. Bell (President & CEO, Glenbow Museum). The dynamic conversation covers plenty of ground: from the magic and warmth of Calgary’s cultural scene to the personal and institutional responsibilities carried on the road to reconciliation with indigenous communities. The Three Bells podcast is produced by AEA Consulting for the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN). Sound mixing and theme music by Artwave Studio. ...
2024-02-1548 minThe Three BellsS3:E6 Breaking open the box... Naseema Asif & Peter Emerson in conversation with Criena GehrkeIn this episode of The Three Bells, our host, Criena Gehrke sits down with Senior Architect Naseema Asif and Studio Director Peter Emerson, from international design collective RIOS. The two share their insights on what goes into making a project successful, from incorporating evolution to exploring unanticipated angles and embracing a touch of 'messiness' throughout the process.External references:RIOS websiteThe Music Center PlazaSan Diego’s Balboa ParkHouston’s Lynn Watt Square For Performing ArtsGold Coast Hi-LightsLampposts of progress: Hi-LightsGold Coast Council votes to remove public art installation 'Hi-Lights' from the M1 at YatalaNase...
2023-06-0842 minThe Three BellsS3:E2 A vision of impact – Elly Andriopoulou in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummaryIn this episode, our host Criena Gehrke talks with Elly Andriopoulou, Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The two discuss the origins and evolution of SNFCC – as well as its early successes, stemming from a strong vision of enacting social impact and the ambition to be a cultural center for all. Elly speaks about the social impact of SNFCC and highlights the importance of building impact studies into planning processes, as those can put into perspective the scale and reach of what a capital infrastructure project can bring to its...
2023-02-1639 minThe Three BellsS2:E9 The complexities and simplicities of placemaking – Ramon Marrades in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Ramon Marrades, urban economist, and Director of Placemaking Europe. The two dive right into deep discussion on the human condition and our definition of progress. Ramon shares insightful thoughts on what works when connecting people to their environment, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. They later explore creative bureaucracy, how to create a strong public policy, if strategies should shift post-covid, and much more. Ramon also speaks about Placemaking Week, Placemaking Europe’s flagship conference and festival taking place in Pontevedra, Spain, 27-30 September 2022, and what he hopes wil...
2022-09-2939 minThe Three BellsS2:E6 Playful public spaces – Ilana Altman in conversation with Stephanie FortunatoSummary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, about The Bentway’s artful and playful approach to activating public spaces – as illustrated by their 2021 Playing in Public season and accompanying Play Provocations resource that encourages cities to become more play-friendly. They discuss the evolution of The Bentway as a platform for connected urban life, and the importance of programming public spaces to be not only responsive to the needs of communities, but to also encourage creative practice. Ilana also shares the plans for The Bentway's STREET season, which promises a summer of pu...
2022-05-1954 minThe Three BellsS2:E4 Knocking on doors – Lisa Havilah in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummary:In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive of the Powerhouse Museum in Australia. They unpack the visionary approach she has crafted over her career of shaping cultural institutions and precincts into culturally and commercially vibrant hubs. They discuss the imperative need to maintain your community engaged, to operate and program inclusively, as well as the significance of keeping an open-door policy, particularly towards emerging artists and cultural leaders. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways. They reflect on the importance of...
2022-04-0749 minThe Three BellsS2:E2 We Are Dallas Arts – Lily Cabatu Weiss in conversation with Stephanie FortunatoSummary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District. They talk about the importance of collaboration amongst cultural leaders and institutions, especially in times of crisis. Lily shares how an ongoing dialogue between Dallas arts and cultural leaders enabled unprecedented resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – culminating with the We Are Dallas Arts initiative. After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. Despite the challenges involved in sustaining collective action and vision, they acknowledge its power to produce im...
2022-02-2450 minThe Three BellsS2:E1 Knowing your audience: lessons from West Kowloon – Kingsley Jayasekera in conversation with Adrian EllisSummary:In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Kingsley Jayasekera, former Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, at the West Kowloon Cultural District. They reflect on his near decade-long experience in Hong Kong and discuss the importance of cultivating arts audiences through creating holistic customer experiences – and using social media for outreach and engagement. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They highlight the challenges of audience development, including the ethical issues of data collection and privacy. References:West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), an in...
2022-02-031h 01The Three BellsS1:E10 On storytelling, leadership, and wisdom – Wesley Enoch in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. They emphasize the critical need to support the next generation of cultural leaders and arts administrators, particularly Indigenous leadership....
2021-11-1156 minThe Three BellsS1:E9 Toward intercultural understanding and empathy – Manal Ataya in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummary:In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Manal Ataya, the Director General of the Sharjah Museums authority. They discuss the educational value of the arts, particularly in terms of promoting inclusivity and diversity as well as cultivating empathy. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. Drawing on their own experiences, they expand on the importance of the arts in enabling cross-cultural experiences and exchanges – and explore how cultural leaders could create more collective experiences that invite solutions to the social, political, and ecological challenges the world faces today....
2021-09-3059 minThe Three BellsS1:E8 Reimagining the future of theatre and live performance – Jesse Cameron Alick in conversation with Adrian EllisSummary:In this episode, Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesse Cameron Alick, about his recently published study, commissioned by the Sundance Institute, based on extensive interviews of artists, arts administrators and thought leaders. The focus is the state of live performance as we 'emerge from the cave' of Covid. They discuss the key findings and themes of the study – particularly the skepticism that artists interviewed expressed about the the commitment of larger cultural institutions to artists, to their local communities, and to equity and inclusion.After, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key ta...
2021-09-091h 00The Three BellsS1:E7 Enabling impact through cultural research – Sunil Iyengar in conversation with Adrian EllisSummary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research and Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts in the US, about the increasing global demand for research, information and statistics to demonstrate the value of the arts. They also discuss the need for more longitudinal and qualitative research, especially community-based participatory studies. Thereafter, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They concur on the importance of meaningful qualitative research, especially collaborative and cross-sectoral projects. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPTReferences: Na...
2021-08-1951 minThe Three BellsS1:E3 Making the case for artistic risk-taking – Victoria Broackes in conversation with Adrian EllisSummary:In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Victoria Broackes, the current Director of the London Design Biennale. Drawing on her curatorial experiences, they speak candidly about the challenges facing cultural programming, particularly in relation to the opportunities presented by digital technology, and the untapped possibilities of experiential exhibition-making. Thereafter, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They reflect upon the tensions facing artistic risk-taking as well as the need for cultural programming to tell meaningful and resonant stories. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPTReferences: V&A E...
2021-05-2751 minThe Three BellsS1:E2 What makes a great city? – Ben Rogers in conversation with Criena GehrkeSummary:In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with urbanist Ben Rogers about the differing factors influencing urban planning and policy today. In particular, they discuss how the pandemic and current political climate have affected cities, and highlighted the importance of long-term urban strategy as well the need to reclaim and democratise public spaces. Thereafter, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Furtunato to discuss key takeaways. They reflect upon how this is an opportune moment to reimagine the possibilities for cities to become more community-centric. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPTExternal re...
2021-05-0649 minThe Three BellsS1:E1 Leading with empathy and kindness – Claire Spencer in conversation with Adrian EllisEp 1: Leading with empathy and kindness – Claire Spencer in conversation with Adrian EllisIn this inaugural episode of The Three Bells, recorded on March 10, 2021 – our host Adrian Ellis (Founder and Chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network), speaks with Claire Spencer, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne. They cover a lot of ground: Claire's route to her current position, the remarkable project she conceived - The Arts Wellbeing Collective which she founded in 2016, but which is also perfectly designed for the present moment, the formidable precinct development currently in planning for which the Victoria government has comm...
2021-04-131h 03The Three BellsS1:E0 (pilot): Introducing The Three Bells – Adrian Ellis in conversation with Stephanie FortunatoEp 0 (pilot): Introducing The Three Bells – Adrian Ellis in conversation with Stephanie FortunatoIn this bonus pilot episode of The Three Bells, our host Stephanie Fortunato (Director of the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, City of Providence), speaks with Adrian Ellis, Founder and Chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network. They cover a lot of ground: Adrian's recent move to Italy, his take on the future of international travel and what it means for cities and cultural institutions which rely heavily on tourism, the origins of The Three Bells, the goal of the podcast for GC...
2021-04-1347 min
Communicating the ArtsEpisode 10: HOTA - The Arts Centre as Community LeaderWhen Criena moved from Melbourne to develop the Gold Coast’s Culture Strategy 2023 the city had a reputation as Australia’s playground, a cultural desert best known for meter maids, schoolies and the glitter strip. Turns out, the GC is now investing more in artists, creative industries and cultural infrastructure than just about anywhere else. Criena will speed date on how a perfect cultural storm was created including why top down strategy and political leadership is important, how placing artists at the heart of everything leads to success, why we need to leverage big moments like the Commonwealth Games and w...
2019-12-0422 min