‘Capabilities and Leadership Skills in CACD for Emerging Producers in Western Sydney‘ provided 16 emerging CACD producers with training and upskilling opportunities in 2024-2025.

The intensive program was developed in response to a 2023 Creative Australia roundtable with key stakeholders from the Western Sydney arts sector, where industry practitioners identified a shortage of skilled producers in the CACD field.

In 2024, participants studied foundational classes in the TAFE unit Work Effectively in Trauma Informed Care, specifically integrated with CACD principles and practice. In 2025, masterclasses with respected CACD practitioners alternated with autonomous sessions of Critical Conversations.

All 16 participants also undertook work experience placements with community arts projects, generously hosted by the following associate partners:

• ACE – Gul Collective – Anne Cutajar and Tannika Keaton

• Blacktown Arts – Older Women’s Network – Divya Lotliker, Verónica Barac-Gomez, Wasielah Noorsjamsi

• Campbelltown Arts Centre – Little Orange Studio – Miranda Aguilar

• CuriousWorks – Everything is Writing – Claudia Roosen and Esky Escandor

• Fairfield City Museum & Gallery – Garden of Joy – Thao Nhi La and Tammy Dang

• Powerhouse – WE’VE Kiribati – Sarah Morris and Fei Gao

• PYT Fairfield – Hayat Amina (Safe Life) – Daisy Montalvo and Yiorgo Yiannopoulos

• Utp – roots – Developing a project with Palestinian young people – Rachelle Esaid and San May

Community of Practice is the documentary film created by Elias Nohra with assistant Tracy Guo. ACE commissioned CuriousWorks with the aim of creating a resource to transform perspectives about CACD work.  ACE’s program is strengthening the collective infrastructure of the CACD sector – with the priority of community arts engagement as ethical practice within a human rights framework – so that communities co-design and participate in creative and cultural life.

This program was produced by Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) in partnership with TAFE NSW and Powerhouse, supported by Western Sydney partner organisations: Blacktown Arts, Campbelltown Arts Centre, CuriousWorks, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, Powerhouse, PYT Fairfield and Utp. This program has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Photo Credits: Maja Baska, Anna Kucera, Dylan Mangunay, Nolan Ho Wung Murphy, Bronte Millington, Del Lumanta, Saafiyah Hussein, Sami Tarazi, Alissar Chidiac, Yamane Fayed