The Honourable Don Harwin MLC has served as New South Wales’ Minister for the Arts since the start of 2017, and has overseen some significant chapters in the state’s artistic life. Harwin was born into a musical household and that great love of music has propelled him through his career.

In this interview with our Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini, Harwin talks about his ambitious plan to create a new hub in Sydney of rehearsal spaces, recording spaces and recital spaces for orchestras, particularly young and emerging orchestras. He also talks about his vision for the future of the arts in New South Wales and Australia, and the social goods performed by the arts.

Simon Mordant AO is one of Australia’s leading champions of the arts and philanthropists. An investment banker by trade, Mordant has served on the boards of many of the country’s major arts companies and has been key to the success of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art. He has had a 30-year association with the museum, and provided essential support for the expansion and redevelopment which as seen it become the most-visited contemporary art museum in the world.

In this interview with our Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini, Mordant explains where his passion for the arts comes from and the role of a board at a major arts company. He also reflects on the way through the COVID crisis for Australian arts companies.

The Honourable Paul Fletcher MP has served as Australia’s Minister for Arts since 2019, and has seen the sector through the immense challenges of 2020. His passion for the arts stretches back to his university days, when he co-wrote several plays, including The Fax of Life with co-creator of ABC’s Rake, Peter Duncan and former Opera Australia CEO Craig Hassall.

In this conversation with our Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini, Minister Fletcher reflects on Australia’s artistic spirit, the rationales for funding the arts, how technology can make the arts more accessible to more Australians, and how the arts intersects with other areas of his portfolio: communications, urban infrastructures and cities.