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The Initiative sees the exchange of curators as an important avenue for encouraging further understanding, relationships and projects. The Tokyo Forum endorsed Curatorial Exchange as a key strategy for the future.  

Program (at February 2008) 

Sydney Curatorial Project

Three of Sydney's leading younger curators are spent time with colleagues in Japan in the first half of 2007 through the program:

• Sally Breen, Associate  Director, Performance Space
• Reuban Keehan, Curator, Artspace
• Bec Dean, Curator, Australian Centre for Photography

Sally Breen is worked particularly with BankART in Yokohama, an organization with similar aims to her own; Reuban Keehan held further discussions with Tokyo Wondersite on the coming curatorial program and Bec Dean spoke to like curators throughout Tokyo. 

The three curators had been working individually to strengthen ties between the contemporary arts sector in Japan and Australia.  Travelling together to Japan enabled their individual projects to develop as well as to take advantage of their increased strength as a group.

"The research trip proved invaluable to us all, both individually and collectively. The traction
gained during our time in Japan was strengthened by our forming a cluster, heightening our
visibility to our Japanese peers. The outcomes have been centred on developing networks within the Japanese contemporary arts scene, strengthening bi-lateral ties between the two countries, expanding our knowledge in working within the Japanese environment and exchanging knowledge and dialogue on current issues that implicate the contemporary arts sector both in Australia and Japan."
Sally Breen, Associate Director, Performance Space, May 2007

Besides pursuing their own projects, they all took part in the Symposium: Alternative is over if you want it! co-convened by the Yokohama Museum of Art (YMA) and Artist Initiative Tokyo (AIT). It was initiated by Taro Amano YMA, who is keen to initiate a series of meetings
amongst a younger generation of curators and art workers in the Asia Pacific region.
This was the first of this series, with a focus on Australia. Part was
a moderated discussion, with Naoko Shoji, assistant educator and curatorial co-ordinator from theYMA, Osamu Ikeda, Director of BankArt1929 and Roger Benjamin from AIT. Roger Benjaimin was the moderator for the symposium and it was chaired by Aki Hoashi (ARCUS Project). In attendance were a number of artists and curators, as well as Tetsuya Ozaki (ARTit), Kosuke Fujitaka (Tokyo Art Beat) and Margaret Cogswell (Asian Cultural Council).

The curators met many curators and artists in Osaka, Yokohama and Tokyo, with discussions on a wide range of projects ensuing. Two particular projects are part of this STAI: Reuben Keehan's work through Artspace with Tokyo Wondersite, and Bec Dean's work with Shihoko Iida on The Ghost in the Photograph (see exhibition program).


Curators at Yokohama Museum of Art; Roger McDonald of AIT introducing Reuben Keehan, Sally Breen and Bec Dean.

Western Sydney Curatorial Project

Following the success of the previous curatorial group visit to Japan, a consortium of curators from three western Sydney cultural centres have been supported for a similar visit to Japan, with, again, a general focus on gaining greater understanding of the possibilities for working with Japanese colleagues, increasing networks, and also focusing on specific partners.  The curators are:

• John Kirkman, CEO of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (incorporating Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Q Theatre Company)
• Kon Gouriotis, Executive Director of the Casula Powerhouse Art Centre and Liverpool Regional Museum
• Lisa Havilah, Director of Campbelltown Arts Centre

Each Australian curator is working with contemporary art museums (and cultural centres) from their respective Japanese 'Sister Cities'.  Utilising existing 'municipal' Sister City and Prefecture relationships, the program aims to develop exhibition and performance programs involving 'sub urban' regions in Australia and Japan.  The program takes place in mid 2008.