Discover Culture Business Sydney’s press release
Sydney welcomes back CULTURE BUSINESS, the world-leading conference about fundraising and business development for arts professionals at Luna Park on 19-20 November 2024
Sydney’s Gathering of 200+ global visionaries
CULTURE BUSINESS, the leading international conference for cultural leaders, is back in Sydney on 19-20 November 2024. Over the course of two days, 150+ industry experts from 10+ countries will convene at Luna Park Sydney.
The Premier Global Conference for Cultural Professionals
Established in 2008 by Corinne Estrada in response to the Global Financial Crisis, CULTURE BUSINESS focuses on fundraising, business and audience development in the creative industries, visual and performing arts. These conferences have been attended by more than 3,000 professionals from ten countries.
CULTURE BUSINESS equips development leaders with the necessary knowledge to successfully lead their institutions:
understand the global picture in fundraising;
learn the new trends in capital campaigns;
understand the expectations of new audiences, including Gen Z and millennials;
understand the power of data to build impactful marketing campaigns, invent innovative business models, promote audience development and social engagement as pillars of a sponsor’s proposal.
Culture Business: First time in an amusement park
Hosting CULTURE BUSINESS at Luna Park highlights the shift in audiences. Visitors are more eclectic and are looking for a wide range of experiences : Museums and galleries can behave like entertaining centres while amusement parks become cultural spaces. As a heritage listed amusement park, Luna Park is now positioned as a major cultural destination in Sydney.
“For the first time in CULTURE BUSINESS history, we’re hosting our conference at an amusement park. As the ways audiences engage with culture evolve, we’ve partnered with Luna Park Sydney to explore what makes a modern cultural destination truly compelling.”- Corinne ESTRADA, CEO of COMMUNICATING THE ARTS and Founder of CULTURE BUSINESS
“We’re proud to host the 2024 international CULTURE BUSINESS conference at Sydney’s most unique heritage icon, Luna Park Sydney. As custodians and conservators of a rare Art-Deco amusement park which is part gallery, part museum and state-of-the-art experience destination, we welcome a vibrant conversation about the business of arts and culture.” - Lucy KEELER, Head of Strategy and Experiences, Luna Park Sydney
Curated Content on Fundraising
Janine Collins, Principal of J9 and expert in fundraising, has been appointed Conference Curator of this year’s program. Topics include :
1. Global perspectives: learn how arts organisations around the world are responding to the shared external pressures.
2. A new era in partnerships: the traditional business sponsorship model has changed. Discover new approaches.
3. Setting up sustainable revenue streams: shifting the non profit mindset.
4. Essential data: what's needed for storytelling, understanding stakeholders and growing income
5. Impact measurement - How to report to funders, donors and business
6. Future proofing the arts - How to recruit and retain development expertise
These topics will provide rich and thought-provoking discussions and exchange between Australian and international development professionals from the UK, USA, Europe, China and India.
A diversity of speakers bringing international perspectives
The panel of speakers includes a diverse range of experts in business and audience development, memberships, partnerships, and fundraising. The lineup of 30+ speakers includes the following 10 renowned international professionals :
Jonathan Holloway: Founder and Director, Giant Inspiration, UK/Spain
Marijke Smallegange: Head of Digital Marketing, Communication & Commerce, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Sonia Winner: CEO and President, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, USA
Melissa Santee: Chief Philanthropy Officer, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, USA
Cat Burton: Creative Producer, Pittsburgh’s Children Museum, USA
Paul Freches: Managing Director, Centre Pompidou Shanghai, China
Jonathan Harper: CEO founder of Para Orchestra, London, UK
Christiane Pracht: Membership Manager, Auckland War Memorial Museum, New-Zealand
Tirtha Giri: Founder and Director of Arts Center for Dance in Mumbaï, India
Ngozia Hunter : Individual Giving Manager, Woolly Mammoth Theater Cy, USA
This diverse panel of speakers promises to offer a wealth of knowledge and insights across various facets making the conference a valuable opportunity for attendees to engage with experts and gain valuable perspectives.
The social program : 4 networking events
CULTURE BUSINESS has planned daily networking opportunities to enhance the overall conference networking experience including :
● 18 November : Walking Tour: Explorations of the Art Deco landmarks of Sydney on 18th
November led by our partner Renaissance Tours,
● 19 November : Invitation to the immersive experience “Dream Circus” held in the Big-Top Auditorium followed by the Welcome Reception at Coney Island, Luna Park
● Closing Ceremony of the mentorship program 30UNDER30: A moment to bring together emerging professionals, mentees and mentors to celebrate insightful exchanges
● 20 November : Guided Visits: private architecture tours guided by ARUP architects to explore Naala Badu, the extension of the Art Gallery of New South Wales
30 Under 30: The International Mentoring Program for young professionals
Corinne Estrada, the Founder of COMMUNICATING THE ARTS, has launched “30 UNDER 30,” the first-ever international mentoring program for young professionals working in arts and culture.
“Professional development is at the core of our mission. We aim to support the new generation of
cultural leaders in their career.” - Corinne ESTRADA, CEO of COMMUNICATING THE ARTS and Founder of CULTURE BUSINESS
Each year, mentees and mentors are selected from four continents for this program. They will have the opportunity to meet in person during CULTURE BUSINESS in Sydney, fostering valuable connections and expanding their networks in the Asia Pacific region. This initiative reflects a commitment to nurturing and empowering the next wave of cultural leaders, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience across generations.
Our Partners
The conference has secured a strong lineup of partners, bringing expertise in their field:
LUNA PARK and ART GALLERY OF NSW as Hosting Partners
EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS and FRENCH EMBASSY and CONSEILLERS DU COMMERCE EXTERIEUR as Government Partners
CREATIVE AUSTRALIA as Official Partner
RENAISSANCE TOURS, exclusive Tourism and Travel Partner
ARUP, TESSITURA and MORRIS HARGREAVES MCINTYRE as Strategic Partners
ARTS HUB and BLOOLOOP as Media Partners.
Registration for all : the best ticket options
Registration start from $400 for volunteers working in Museum and Galleries of NSW
Registration for emerging professionals under 30 years of age is $200
Regular ticket price including social events, tours and talks : 1,195$ +GST on this link
PRESS CONTACT: evan@communicatingthearts.org