SAMAG (Sydney Arts Management Advisory Group)

Digital Upskilling: SPREADSHEETS A practical masterclass designed especially for arts managers who want to take their spreadsheet skills to the next level. 📊 Whether you’re working across Excel or Google Sheets, this session will help you unlock some of the tools that make data work for you. You’re relatively confident using spreadsheets to build your budgets, but: You’ve got a problem excel can solve but you don’t know how to get started You’re constantly flicking between multiple spreadsheets You’re more confident in Excel than Google Sheets You want some fun tips and tricks to brag about* Key topics include: Organise text-based data like your multiple schedules (TEXTJOIN, CONCATENATE) Reflect alternate scenarios, e.g. fixed fee vs box office split (IF/AND) Collaborate, share and convert across Excel and Google Sheets Link your data between spreadsheets (integrate ticketing reports with expense trackers and other cool tricks to impress your peers). 📅 Wednesday 29 October, 12-2pm 📍 Online via Zoom 🔗 Book tickets via Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/enWm3MVw *Advance notice: no one else will want to listen to you brag about your spreadsheet skills. Facilitated by SAMAG Committee Member Kaleigh DWS Giles, who is a live events producer and project manager based in Sydney. This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

⤴ Digital Upskilling Series: Digital Portfolio for Artists 🎨💻 In an increasingly digital arts landscape, how you present your work online can make all the difference. Digital Portfolio for Artists is a hands-on workshop designed to help emerging creatives build beautiful, responsive digital portfolios using Microsoft Sway —a free platform ideal for showcasing visual and multimedia work. Facilitated by educator and media maker Habib Moghimi, this session guides participants through the essentials of crafting a compelling portfolio: - Visual storytelling - Structure - Interactivity - Accessibility Participants will be supported in developing a working draft of their own online portfolio, gaining confidence in presenting their practice for: - Grants - Exhibitions - Residencies - Collaborations 📅 Wednesday 10 September, 12–2pm 📍 Online via Zoom 🔗 Reserve tickets via the Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/e3Zsuk8J No coding or design experience needed, just have your images/videos ready and your artist statement, and we’ll take care of the rest. 🙌

Last chance to book tickets to tomorrow's seminar, Stronger Connections! Link to Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/ekCa3VyX

Join Hayden Walsh, a proud Aboriginal man and experienced cultural practitioner, for a compelling conversation about truth-telling, institutional responsibility, and building stronger, more respectful connections with First Nations people, culture, and history. This session invites cultural workers, creatives, educators, and leaders to reflect, unlearn, and act — together. It's about listening deeply, connecting meaningfully, and doing the real work of change. 📅 Tuesday 10 June, 6:30-7.30pm 📍 Chamber hall, Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road Glebe 2037 🔗 Book tickets via Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/ekCa3VyX About Hayden Walsh Hayden Walsh is a proud Aboriginal man from Sydney with over 13 years’ experience across the education and not-for-profit sectors, along with many years in the arts and museum space. Throughout his career, Hayden has worked closely with First Nations Elders and knowledge holders across NSW, collaborating and producing cultural events, festivals and programs as well as developing multi-year strategic visions for organisations aiming to better support and empower First Nations communities. Hayden has developed and delivered the First Nations Strategy across Museums of History NSW. As Senior Advisor, First Nations Employment and Engagement, he is currently leading the new First Nations Employment Strategy which supports First Nations staff across the org as well as the training and development for all staff to increase their skills, competency and awareness in working with and supporting cultural projects and communities. Hayden is also the Founder and Director of ‘Think Successful’, a social enterprise that delivers life changing personal development programs to young people. *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket. Become a SAMAG member. This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

Stronger Connections with Hayden Walsh Join Hayden Walsh, a proud Aboriginal man and experienced cultural practitioner, for a compelling conversation about truth-telling, institutional responsibility, and building stronger, more respectful connections with First Nations people, culture, and history. With over a decade of experience across education, the arts, and community sectors—including his leadership of Think Successful, a social enterprise empowering young people—Hayden brings sharp insight and lived experience to reckoning with Australia’s past and reshaping our future. This session invites cultural workers, creatives, educators, and leaders to reflect, unlearn, and act — together. It's about listening deeply, connecting meaningfully, and doing the real work of change. 📅 Tuesday 10 June, 6:30-7.30pm 📍 Chamber hall, Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road Glebe 2037 🔗 Reserve tickets via the Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/ekCa3VyX *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket. This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

A heartfelt thank you for joining us at Funding the Future! We’re so pleased to share that the event was a full and vibrant evening of conversation, insight, and connection. Speakers Samantha May Jones and Eden Tollis led a dynamic and thoughtful discussion around the evolving landscape of arts fundraising—from ethical considerations and donor engagement to grants and sponsorships. Thank you Samantha and Eden! We also want to acknowledge and thank the City of Sydney for providing a welcoming and accessible venue. We hope you left the event with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed energy to keep building sustainable and values-aligned futures in the arts.

📣 Introducing ‘Funding The Future’ panellist Eden Tollis! Eden has been working in fundraising for almost a decade, supporting higher education and arts organisations with achieving their visions. He is currently Head of Philanthropy at Sydney Film Festival, and sits on the Boards of the Inner City Legal Centre and Improv Theatre Sydney. He sees philanthropy as a way for people to connect and support incredible ideas. In a previous life, he was a producer of The Colour Orange, a musical about Pauline Hanson. Funding The Future Five years post-pandemic, the arts sector is still adapting to a changing funding landscape. Join our expert panel to explore strategies for securing private donations, sponsorships, and grants, building donor relationships, and navigating ethical fundraising. Whether you’re an artist, producer, or arts administrator, this conversation will offer practical strategies and fresh perspectives. 📅 Tuesday 29 April, 6:30-8.30PM 📍 Joseph Sargeant Community Centre, 60 Prospect St, Erskineville NSW 2043 Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and future-proof your work! Book tickets via the Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/gqyEuxjt *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket.

📣 Introducing ‘Funding The Future’ panellist Sam Watson-Wood! Sam is a highly accomplished curator and creative producer with a diverse background spanning curation, programming, producing, strategy, development, and communication. Her extensive experience includes projects across Australia, Asia and the UK, where she has demonstrated expertise in artistic direction, partnership strategy, audience development, and the ideation and delivery of public programs as well as festival commissions. She has held key roles as the Executive Producer & Artistic Adviser at Performance Space, Festival Director of Art Month and was part of the launch team as Director of Programs and Partnerships at Sydney Contemporary. Prior to this she launched the award winning festival Clerkenwell Design Week in London. She is currently running Friends with Strangers, an independent arts organisation working on major commissions and festival developments. Funding The Future Five years post-pandemic, the arts sector is still adapting to a changing funding landscape. Join our expert panel to explore strategies for securing private donations, sponsorships, and grants, building donor relationships, and navigating ethical fundraising. Whether you’re an artist, producer, or arts administrator, this conversation will offer practical strategies and fresh perspectives. 📅 Tuesday 29 April, 6:30-8.30PM 📍 Joseph Sargeant Community Centre, 60 Prospect St, Erskineville NSW 2043 Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and future-proof your work! Book tickets via the Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/gqyEuxjt *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket.

📣 Introducing ‘Funding The Future’ panellist Samantha May Jones! Samantha Jones is an experienced arts manager and fundraiser. She has worked across government funding, Australian and international philanthropy, international government agencies, government relations, corporate sponsorship as well as operations and governance. Samantha is currently Head of Development at Biennale of Sydney and Board Member at Australasian Dance Collective. She was previously Director of Development at Belvoir St, Co-Chair at The Red Rattler Theatre, Assistant Director at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, and Grants, Trusts and Foundations Manager at the Biennale of Sydney. Samantha holds a Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts/Fine Arts majoring in Sociology and Sculpture from UNSW Art + Design. Funding The Future Five years post-pandemic, the arts sector is still adapting to a changing funding landscape. Join our expert panel to explore strategies for securing private donations, sponsorships, and grants, building donor relationships, and navigating ethical fundraising. Whether you’re an artist, producer, or arts administrator, this conversation will offer practical strategies and fresh perspectives. 📅 Tuesday 29 April, 6:30-8.30PM 📍 Joseph Sargeant Community Centre, 60 Prospect St, Erskineville NSW 2043 Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and future-proof your work! 🔗 Book tickets via Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/gqyEuxjt *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket.

Five years after the pandemic, arts workers, creatives, and organisations are still navigating Australia’s shifting funding landscape. How can we build sustainable financial models beyond traditional grants? Join us for a timely panel discussion on diversifying income streams, ethical fundraising, and long-term donor engagement. Our expert panel will explore: * Strategies for securing private donations, sponsorships, and crowdfunding Building meaningful, long-term relationships with donors and corporate partners * Grant writing insights to boost funding success * Ethical considerations in arts fundraising – navigating conflicts and aligning values * Whether you’re an artist, producer, or arts administrator, this conversation will offer practical strategies and fresh perspectives. After, join us for drinks and nibbles! 📅 Tuesday 29 April, 6:30PM 📍 Joseph Sargeant Community Centre, 60 Prospect St, Erskineville NSW 2043 Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and future-proof your work! *SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket. Book tickets via Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/gqyEuxjt