Talks
Talks is the engaging forum of curated talks that explore topical ideas and controversial themes in contemporary art and culture for all audiences. Each talk runs for approximately 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Talks is supported by The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
The 2026 Talks Program to be announced in early July.
About The Curator: Mitchell Oakley Smith
Mitchell Oakley Smith is a curator, creative director and author.
His writing has been published in Architectural Digest, Art & Australia, Art Monthly, Belle, CNN Style, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Interview, The Australian, The Local Project, Wish, Vault and Vogue Living.
He has worked with Melbourne Art Fair, Queensland Art Gallery, Art Month Sydney, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of South Australia, The Future Laboratory and Semi Permanent.
He is the author of five Thames & Hudson books on art, fashion and design, and the publisher of four more. He was also the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of Manuscript magazine, and more recently the editor-in-chief of Esquire Singapore.
Mitchell is currently the Curator of Vivid Minds as part of Vivid Sydney, the most-attended cross-art festival in the world, managed and produced by Destination New South Wales. Here, he has programmed international creative talent including filmmaker Chloé Zhao, art critic Jerry Saltz, author Roxane Gay, and chef Yotam Ottolenghi.
Talks is supported by The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
