Next Wave: the Melbourne Art Book Fair rolls into Torquay

WHAT: Next Wave: the Future of Independent Publishing

WHEN: 6 – 7.30pm, Thursday 30 May

WHERE: Patagonia Torquay. 116 Surf Coast Hwy, Torquay

An extraordinary free panel discussion on the future of independent publishing will be held in Torquay, featuring celebrated local creatives and independent publishers.

Next Wave will feature Gill Hutchison — Surf Life: Women Who Live to Surf and Create, Mick Sowry — Great Ocean Quarterly, Oliver Georgiou — MINDHEAD, Sean Doherty — Surfing World, and Tamsin O’Neill — Green Magazine and Walkers Journal, and will be moderated by Ula Majewski.

“The Surf Coast is home to a number of world-class independent publishers and writers that simultaneously amplify localised subcultures and offer complex global outlooks. In a world where mainstream media is increasingly concentrated and corporatised, a thriving independent publishing sector is more important than ever,” said Stacie Bobele, Making Change Manager at Regional Arts Victoria.

This important discussion will leap into the big questions around the future of independent publishing — its curation, culture, content, marketing, distribution and business models — and explore what we can do to make sure it thrives.

“Our regional program highlights the exceptional quality of independent art book publishing and celebrates the beauty of community found in regional areas” said Isabella Farchione, Melbourne Art Book Fair’s Regional Program Producer.

Next Wave is presented by Melbourne Art Book Fair, Melbourne Design Week 2024, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV. It is one of several Changemakers conversations hosted by the Making Change project throughout 2024. Patagonia and Four Pines are also supporting the event.

Free tickets and speaker bios are available at https://artbookfair.melbourne/events/next-wave-thefuture-of-independent-publishing/

For more information, contact Stacie Bobele on 0435 045 568 or Isabella Farchione on 0433 351 325

About Making Change and Regional Arts Victoria:

Commencing in 2023, Regional Arts Victoria has been engaged to deliver a project guided by the Making Change Creative Industries Strategy 2021-2026. Reflecting progressive and resilient communities, the strategy’s vision is to foster a culture of collaboration, aspiration and change to ensure a sustainable future for all creatives and their audiences in the municipalities of Golden Plains, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Queenscliffe Borough.

Regional Arts Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit, membership-based organisation working in long-term partnerships with every level of government, fostering contemporary and innovative regional cultural practice. We advise and impact on decision-making across multiple portfolios and levels of government.

Regional Arts Victoria is the peak body for regional artists and arts organisations, and the leading organisation for regional creative practice in Victoria.