SAMAG

SAMAG provides a forum for arts practitioners and managers in Sydney to discuss current issues in our industry. Join us on the last Monday of each month.

26/05/2026

EVENT POSTPONED: Look South! | 28 May 2026, 10am–1pm

Unfortunately, SCN’s Plenary with Bayside Council, Look South!, has been postponed due to the severe weather forecast for Thursday.

Look South! is expected to be rescheduled soon, potentially as early as 30 July 2026 as part of Bayside Council’s Creative Industries Forum.

Thank you for your understanding. We will be in touch once the event has been rescheduled.

This event is organised by Sydney Culture Network, with SAMAG members kindly invited in partnership with SCN.

21/05/2026

𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝! Arts walk and talk through Sydney’s newest creative hub

In partnership with Sydney Culture Network, SAMAG Members are invited to join the Plenary with Bayside Council for a morning by the sea, exploring South Sydney’s creative growth.

Join us for discussions and refreshments at Ramsgate Life Saving Club and then walk along Ramsgate Foreshore to view artwork 𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙚.

A panel of South Sydney creatives including 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶 (fashion artist and designer), 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 (multimedia artist), 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘀 (filmmaker and co-founder of Women in Film and Television Australia), and 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻 (Arts and Culture Specialist, Bayside Council) will explore the conditions needed for culture to thrive, and what the South has to offer.

We'll also hear from Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 in conversation with MCA Senior Curator 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗮, before walking together to view Golding's major new work On the Foreshore, commissioned by Bayside Council and the MCA through C3West.

It's a rare opportunity to experience a significant new work at the site it was made for, and to reflect on the history of this place.

📅 Thursday 28 May 2026, 10am-1pm
📍 Ramsgate Surf Lifesaving Club Inc (274 The Grand Parade, Ramsgate Beach, NSW 2217)
🔗 RSVP via https://linktr.ee/SAMAG
🎟 Free for SAMAG members

This event is organised by Sydney Culture Network.

20/11/2025

Join Kartini Ludwig from for a practical introduction to AI for creatives. Learn what AI is (and isn’t), why it’s transforming creative work, and how to use smart tools ethically and effectively. Includes live demos, real-world examples, and Q&A for arts and creative professionals.

Kartini Ludwig has over a decade of experience as a creative professional, collaborative artist and entrepreneur. She is the Director of creative digital studio Kopi Su Studio and Founder of AI music platform KOUP Music. In 2024, KOUP Music was made the Top 10 of the CSIRO National AI Sprint. She has spoken at TEDxSydney and SXSW Sydney advocating for fairly trained AI models to unlock new opportunities for creative communities long term.

AI for Creative Practitioners
📅 Wednesday 26 November, 12-2pm
📍 Online via Zoom
🔗 Book tickets via link in bio
🎟 Free for SAMAG members

This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

06/11/2025

AI for Creative Practitioners

Artificial Intelligence can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. In this two-hour online masterclass, Kartini Ludwig, founder of Kopi Su Studio and an emerging thought leader in creative AI, will demystify AI for creative practitioners and arts professionals.

We’ll start by demystifying what AI is, how it’s being used, and the ethical concerns of this technology. Then, Kartini will map the current landscape of AI tools and demonstrate how they can streamline creative workflows, from idea generation to project delivery.

The session wraps up with a live Q&A where you can ask questions and share your experiences. Whether you’re curious about AI or ready to experiment with it, this session will give you the confidence and context to use smart tools ethically and creatively.

📅 Wednesday 26 November, 12-2pm
📍 Online via Zoom
🔗 Book tickets via link in bio
🎟 Free for SAMAG members

This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

15/10/2025

Digital Upskilling: SPREADSHEETS

A practical masterclass designed especially for arts managers who want to take their spreadsheet skills to the next level. 📊

Whether you’re working across Excel or Google Sheets, this session will help you unlock some of the tools that make data work for you.

You’re relatively confident using spreadsheets to build your budgets, but:

You’ve got a problem excel can solve but you don’t know how to get started
You’re constantly flicking between multiple spreadsheets
You’re more confident in Excel than Google Sheets
You want some fun tips and tricks to brag about*

Key topics include:

Organise text-based data like your multiple schedules (TEXTJOIN, CONCATENATE)
Reflect alternate scenarios, e.g. fixed fee vs box office split (IF/AND)
Collaborate, share and convert across Excel and Google Sheets
Link your data between spreadsheets (integrate ticketing reports with expense trackers and other cool tricks to impress your peers).

📅 Wednesday 29 October, 12-2pm
📍 Online via Zoom
🔗 Book tickets via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-upskilling-spreadsheets-tickets-1818479203249?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

*Advance notice: no one else will want to listen to you brag about your spreadsheet skills.

Facilitated by SAMAG Committee Member Kaleigh DWS Giles, who is a live events producer and project manager based in Sydney.

This event is supported by the City of Sydney.

13/08/2025

⤴ Digital Upskilling Series: Digital Portfolio for Artists 🎨💻

In an increasingly digital arts landscape, how you present your work online can make all the difference.

Digital Portfolio for Artists is a hands-on workshop designed to help emerging creatives build beautiful, responsive digital portfolios using Microsoft Sway —a free platform ideal for showcasing visual and multimedia work.

Facilitated by educator and media maker Habib Moghimi, this session guides participants through the essentials of crafting a compelling portfolio:
- Visual storytelling
- Structure
- Interactivity
- Accessibility

Participants will be supported in developing a working draft of their own online portfolio, gaining confidence in presenting their practice for:
- Grants
- Exhibitions
- Residencies
- Collaborations

📅 Wednesday 10 September, 12–2pm
📍 Online via Zoom
🔗 Reserve tickets via the link in our bio 🔗

No coding or design experience needed, just bring your laptop, images/videos, and your artist statement, and we’ll take care of the rest. 🙌

01/08/2025

⤴ Level Up Your Digital Game with SAMAG
From August to November, SAMAG presents a Digital Upskilling Series — three hands-on workshops designed specifically for arts-based projects.

Whether you're an artist, producer, or arts worker, these sessions will help you streamline operations and save time with practical digital tools.
What’s on offer?
• Digital Portfolios — Showcase your work like a pro
• AI for Practitioners — Harness smart tools for creative workflows
• Spreadsheets — Organise, plan, and manage with confidence

🔩 Join us and transform your digital toolkit.

🔗 Stay tuned for dates, details, and registration info!

18/06/2025

Thank you for joining us last week for Stronger Connections!

Hayden Walsh generously led the conversation around truth-telling, responsibility, and building stronger, more respectful connections with First Nations people, culture and history in the arts. We’re grateful to Hayden for sharing his knowledge and experience, and to everyone in the room for being part of it.

Interested in joining events like these in the future? Stay tuned with SAMAG and join our newsletter. Link in bio.

This event was supported by the City of Sydney.

05/06/2025

Build Stronger Connections with Hayden Walsh

Hayden Walsh () is a proud Aboriginal man from Sydney with over 13 years’ experience across the education and not-for-profit sectors, along with many years in the arts and museum space. Throughout his career, Hayden has worked closely with First Nations Elders and knowledge holders across NSW, collaborating and producing cultural events, festivals and programs as well as developing multi-year strategic visions for organisations aiming to better support and empower First Nations communities. Hayden has developed and delivered the First Nations Strategy across Museums of History NSW. As Senior Advisor, First Nations Employment and Engagement, he is currently leading the new First Nations Employment Strategy which supports First Nations staff across the org as well as the training and development for all staff to increase their skills, competency and awareness in working with and supporting cultural projects and communities. Hayden is also the Founder and Director of ‘Think Successful’, a social enterprise that delivers life changing personal development programs to young people.

Stronger Connections
Join Hayden for an honest, necessary conversation on truth-telling, institutional responsibility, and building meaningful engagement with First Nations history, people, and communities. Perfect for those ready to listen, reflect, and act toward a more inclusive future.

📅 Tuesday 10 June, 6:30-7.30pm
📍 Chamber hall, Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road Glebe 2037
🔗 Book tickets via link in bio.

*SAMAG Individual and Organisation members use the code SAMAG25 to get their free ticket. Become a SAMAG member today.

Address

18-20 Victoria Street Erskineville
Sydney, NSW
2040

Website

http://www.samag.org/

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