Eric Booth in conversation

Australia Council Speaker Series 3

Insights from Obama: a peace corps for artists?

Wednesday 2 December 2009 5.30 - 7.30 pm

This third event in the Australia Council Speaker Series featured Eric Booth, one of America�s leading experts on arts-learning and creativity, and advisor to the Musicians National Service Initiative.

This musical �peace corps� places artists into urban communities for up to two years of community service. Expanding the program was a key component of President Obama�s arts platform.

The Obama administration is now set to create a National Arts Corps, placing artists across all artforms into fulltime service in schools and communities.

Eric Booth was joined by, Professor Brad Haseman Chair of the Australia Council�s Community Partnerships Committee, Professor Andrea Hull AO, former director of the Victorian College of the Arts, and Maud Clark AM, Artistic Director of Somebody's Daughter Theatre Company, in discussion.

Podcasts of the evening are available for viewing below.

Professor Brad Haseman, chair of the Australia Council's Community Partnerships Committee, introduces Eric Booth. Eric discusses the state of the arts in the US and his views on the changes artists need to make to the ways in which they work to be relevant in the 21st century. He also discusses Obama Administration arts initiatives.

Australia Council - Speaker Series - Eric Booth from Australia Council for the Arts on Vimeo.

Maud Clarke AM responds to Eric's address about her work with Somebody's Daughter Theatre Company.

Australia Council - Speaker Series - Eric Booth - Part 2 from Australia Council for the Arts on Vimeo.

Professor Andrea Hull AO responds with some insights from her experience and poses questions to both Eric and Maud.

Australia Council - Speaker Series - Eric Booth - Part 3 from Australia Council for the Arts on Vimeo.

The panel, chaired by Professor Brad Haseman, responds to audience questions.

Australia Council - Speaker Series - Eric Booth - Part 4 from Australia Council for the Arts on Vimeo.

The Australia Council Speaker Series

The Australia Council Speaker Series aims to stimulate debate and discussion about topical issues in the arts.

Speaker Series events are free, open to the public, provide networking opportunities and a chance to think about some of the bigger picture issues affecting our industry.

View Australia Council Speaker Series 2: Alan Brown in discussion here