This issue, we catch up with Arts Project Australia’s newly appointed Executive Director, Liz Nowell. Liz is an experienced curator and cultural leader in contemporary art and is passionate about creating inclusive and diverse spaces in the industry.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background in art and culture.
I’m a curator and executive leader who has spent the past 15 years working in Australian and international contemporary art. I was initially drawn to the arts because of a deep belief in its capacity to transform the way we think about the world and relate to one another. When I reflect on my career today, I can see how that continues to influence my work, which is very much informed by collaboration, relationality and the ethics of care. I’ve held leadership roles at several key institutions, including Adelaide Contemporary Experimental and the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia. From 2019 to 2022, I served as Executive Director at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in Brisbane. Now, I am the Executive Director of Arts Project Australia, an internationally recognised gallery and studio that champions artists with intellectual disabilities. Given my work has always focused on creating platforms for diverse artistic practices, Arts Project really felt like it aligned with my values and interests.
How can institutions, galleries, and individuals work together to enable more diverse voices and practices in contemporary art?
There are countless ways we can build a more diverse art world, but it all hinges on one critical factor: we must learn to look differently. Whether you’re a collector, curator, or gallerist, all of us have been trained—formally or otherwise—to read art through a very narrow lens of history. That viewpoint is one that is deeply flawed because it has convinced us that good art is predominantly shaped and validated by powerful Eurocentric taste makers.
The onus is on everyone to reflect on their own bias, unlearn deeply engrained assumptions about art, and approach art and artists from a place of curiosity, questioning, and open-mindedness. I really believe this is the bigger task required if we are to make systemic change. Practically, this could begin with visiting exhibitions you wouldn’t normally see or engaging with artists who have been historically marginalised or overlooked.
Beyond that, institutions and galleries need to ensure that diverse representation is the bedrock of their collections and artistic programs, rather than just something that is ‘tacked on’. Community engagement and partnerships are also crucial. By teaming up with advocacy groups, educational institutions, and cultural organisations like Arts Project, we can broaden our reach and impact.
Ultimately, it’s about shifting the way we see and understand art, breaking down the traditional, biased narratives, and making room for a broader spectrum of voices and practices in contemporary art.
When it comes to inclusivity in the arts, what do you think have been some recent achievements, and what would you like to see in the future?
I’ve been really inspired by the partnership between Creative Growth and SFMOMA, both based in the United States. Creative Growth is an organisation like Arts Project Australia, and for its 50th anniversary, SFMOMA acquired over half a million dollars’ worth of artworks by their studio artists. These works are now being presented as part of a major exhibition titled “Creative Growth: The House That Art Built.” This initiative is a historic moment for neurodivergent artists, showcasing their talent and value in a major museum context.
It’s a powerful example of how museums and cultural organisations can meaningfully invest in artists with disability, and its sets a precedent for other museums and galleries worldwide.
What is your vision for the future of Arts Project Australia?
Looking ahead, I’d like to see Arts Project Australia artists recognised in the same way. There is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t be. The work that is created here at the studio is as moving, interesting, and challenging as anything else I’ve ever seen. And not only do Arts Project Australia artists make incredible work, but they are also bold, unapologetic and completely authentic in the way they approach their art making. That is the hallmark of a truly courageous artist, and a quality that deserves recognition.
With thanks to Liz Nowell. See more at artsproject.org.au
Top Image: Liz Nowell / Photo: Natalie Piserchio
July 2024