A total of 950 delegates met in the desert town of Alice Springs for Regional Arts Australia's sixth biennial conference  art at the heart. The conference held from 3-5 October 2008 provided artists, arts workers and arts volunteers the opportunity to gather, discuss, perform and celebrate the arts and cultural achievements of regional Australia.

Watch delegates in conversation throughout art at the heart in a film made for the Closing Ceremony, Sunday 5 October. Produced by David Nixon with assistance from Shane Mulcahy. Music by Michael Den Elzen. Photographs by James Spiers, Pip McManus, Pam French & Joyce van Dijk. With thanks to the many Alice Springs artists and interstate delegates who contributed to the production of this film.

art at the heart was hosted by the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT in collaboration with the Alice Springs Town Council. The Australian Government supported the conference through the Regional Arts Fund, the Australia Council for the Arts supported the artistic program and the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs supported the Indigenous participation in the conference.

Alice Springs is known as Mparntwe to the Arrernte people, who have lived in the central Australian desert in and around Alice Springs for more than 50,000 years.  art at the heart acknowledges the Arrernte people and the pivotal role they have in the life of this region.  They have occupied and cared for this country over countless generations and continue to do so today.

2008 Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Awards 

13 people from across Australia received the prestigious new national Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Award at a ceremony under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station on Saturday 4 October during the art at the heart conference dinner.

The awards are brand new and are designed to give volunteers national recognition for their contribution towards the arts across regional, rural and remote Australia.

Each recipient received a beautiful artwork from Alice Springs designer Elliat Rich and a certificate designed by Katrina Allan and signed by Suzie Haslehurst, president of Regional Arts Australia, and Kathy Keele, CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts. The award included free flights, accommodation and registration to attend art at the heart in Alice Springs. More information is available on www.regionalarts.com.au

For any enquiries on art at the heart email artattheheart@nt.gov.au.