December 15, 2024

Episode 45: Seb Chan - Reimagining cultural institutions for tomorrow's communities

1 hour 6 minutes

This week's conversation features Seb Chan, Director and CEO of ACMI and National President of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association, exploring his innovative approach to cultural leadership and institutional transformation.

Seb shares insights from his journey from experimental music and club culture to pioneering digital transformation at major cultural institutions. He discusses how museums and cultural spaces can rebuild trust and relevance in a rapidly changing world.

Key discussion points include:

Evolving role of cultural institutions in building community trust
Digital transformation and preservation challenges
Designing accessible cultural spaces that reduce threshold fear
Focus and attention in the age of social media
Cultural translation and community engagement
Future integration of cultural spaces with community infrastructure
The garden metaphor for sustainable digital development
Leadership versus management in cultural institutions
Building intergenerational connections through cultural experiences
The role of institutions in addressing major societal challenges

Throughout the conversation, Seb emphasises the importance of creating spaces for meaningful community interaction and the need for cultural institutions to actively shape conversations about our shared future.

Links:

ACMI
Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA)
RMIT University

About Seb Chan: Seb Chan is the Director and CEO of ACMI and National President of AMAGA. His career spans pioneering roles in digital transformation at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. He is recognised internationally for his innovative approach to museum engagement and cultural leadership.

Episode Credits: