On Saturday 12 September, AYO participants, delegates from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), and leading industry professionals gathered at the Sydney Opera House’s Centre for Creativity for the inaugural Changemakers Summit.
Proposed, planned, and hosted by the 2026 AYO Youth Council, the summit generated discussion around the state of Australia’s arts sector.
Panels on the identity of artists, wellbeing and inclusion, and the performer-audience relationship were facilitated by members of the AYO Youth Council. Discussions were led by esteemed policymakers, researchers, and professional artists. The energy and passion was palpable in the room, with the summit serving as a reminder on the power of community and collective action in our arts sector.
Throughout the day the 19 2026 Summit delegates heard from guest speakers including Queensland Conservatorium Deputy Director (Research) Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet, Riverina Conservatorium of Music Director and CEO Hamish AJ Tait, and Regional Arts NSW Director and CEO Dr Tracey Callinan OAM.
Additional contributors included Green Music Australia founder Tim Hollo, Connecting the Dots in Music founding director Emily Gann, Bus Stop Films CEO Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM, ABC Classic Screen Sounds presenter and Monash University Professor of Media Dan Golding, Zoe Taylor and Adelaide Rief -representatives from Creative Australia, and MEAA President of Musicians (NSW) Alexander Poirier.
Photos: AYO/Geraldine Cardozo
