Art can be a transformative force for good, as Harriet Body shows us on this episode of For Arts' Sake. As an Australian artist who uses the arts to create inclusive spaces and promote mental wellbeing, Harriet shares her inspiring work and discusses the impact of the arts on individuals and communities.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sadiah Boonstra, a Jakarta-based curator, researcher, and advocate for decolonial practices in the museum world. With experience working at cultural institutions around the world, Dr. Boonstra will discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage, engaging with diverse communities, and challenging dominant narratives in the museum sector.

Join us for the conversation with Helen Hillyard, curator at Dulwich Picture Gallery, as she shares her insights into the world of curation, the importance of making historical collections relevant to contemporary audiences, and creating a dialogue between the past and present.

In this episode we are speaking with Dr. Jenny Newell, Curator for Climate Change at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Join us as we discuss the unique role that museums and cultural institutions can play in tackling the climate crisis and learn about some inspiring initiatives.

Join museum educator Claire Brown in exploring the power of slow looking and Visible Thinking in museums, and discover how these approaches can enhance visitors' enjoyment and understanding of artworks.

In this bonus episode, Alina and James chat with David Dawson from Wiltshire Museum about the struggles and success of running an ambitious independent museum.

This episode features an interview with Sarah Cowie, at the time the Engagement Manager for National Museums Scotland. Julia and Alina spoke with Sarah about working across multiple museums at once, the importance of finding interesting role models for young visitors, and strategies for keeping audiences engaged, visit after visit. Since this interview was recorded, Sarah has moved into a new role with the National Trust.

In this week’s For Arts’ Sake, Julia and James sit down to chat with Daria Beglova, head of the Peredelkino Arts Centre and Residence. Despite falling into disrepair, Peredelkino remains an icon of Moscow culture and Russian literature. The discussion centres on the importance of preserving heritage and the parallels between history and present-day events.

In this week’s episode, Alina and James speak with Anna Petrova from Odesa Fine Arts Museum. At just 22 years old, Anna is already making a name for herself in arts and culture, currently working as the head of excursions at one of Odesa’s principal art galleries. Anna’s enthusiasm for museums shines through as she shares her experiences working in “the pearl of the pearl” of Ukraine, her love of art, and her hopes for the future.

This time on For Arts’ Sake, Alina and James are joined by Sarah Creed. Sarah is currently the Exhibitions Project Manager at the Design Museum, but has experience in a wide variety of roles across a huge range of museums, galleries, and heritage sites. Over the course of the interview, Sarah shares her experiences and expertise on topics including museum audiences, weird exhibition pieces, and finding time for her hobbies.