A new thought-provoking talk series, discussing the influence of the arts – The Don Dunstan Lectures - has been announced by Adelaide Festival Centre today in partnership with Don Dunstan Foundation, Adelaide University and Flinders University.
The free events, part of Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th Anniversary commemorations this year, will feature Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and former Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM presenting at Dunstan Playhouse in November and December.
The first of the keynote talks, by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, will explore the role of cultural diplomacy and the value of the arts to society and will be held on November 28 at 6.30pm.
The second session, by the Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM, will focus on Don Dunstan’s creative legacy in film and screen and wider arts legacy in South Australia and will be held on December 14 at 6:30pm.
Other topics to be discussed include exporting Australian creative industries, and cultural policy for a creative nation.
The new initiative will delight curious audiences, interested in thought-provoking talks and conversations and audience members will have an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC: “South Australians have long been beneficiaries of the stories that artists have shared in our galleries, theatres, and venues. It is through our many forms of artistic expression that we build our identity as a community. Arts, culture and creativity are also how we project our culture to the world.”
The Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM: “One of the greatest privileges of my life was working closely with Don Dunstan. For me his inspiration and enduring legacy is that a small state can lead the nation in critical areas of public policy, as a laboratory for reform. To lead, not follow. That was certainly the case in the arts. So many of Don’s initiatives were taken up by other states. He believed the arts, like his concept of multiculturalism, could enrich our lives and expand our horizons. And he was right.”
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM: “We are thrilled to present these important keynote speakers and lectures at Adelaide Festival Centre, particularly in Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th year. These lectures will provide food for thought and will be an opportunity to discuss the wider value of the arts to society, both nationally and internationally.”
The events are free to attend. Registration is required to reserve a seat.
Registrations now open for session one here and session two here.
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South AustraliaThe role of cultural diplomacy and the value of the arts to society
Adelaide Festival Centre’s Dunstan Playhouse
November 28 at 6:30pm
The Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM
The Dunstan creative legacy in film and screen
Adelaide Festival Centre’s Dunstan Playhouse
December 14 at 6:30pm
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC
Her Excellency the Hon Frances Adamson AC was born and grew up in South Australia. She studied economics at the University of Adelaide, where she became the first woman to captain the boat club in its 103-year history and in 1985, she joined the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs. Her Excellency worked in Hong Kong during the early years of China’s reform and opening, headed the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei and later served as Australia’s Ambassador to China. In 2016, she was appointed head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where she led the department through a period of cultural change and encouraged more women into senior ranks. She has been International Adviser to the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister and Defence Minister.
In June 2021, she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for her eminent service to public administration. She is a Fellow of both the Institute of Public Administration of Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
The Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM
Mike Rann was Premier of South Australia, and Arts Minister from 2002 to 2011. He was Leader of the ALP in SA for a record 17 years and served as a Minister in the Bannon and Arnold governments. Rann had a ringside seat to the Dunstan years while working as Press Secretary and speech writer to Don Dunstan in the late 1970s.
After 26 years in Parliament Rann was appointed Australian High Commissioner to the UK and later as Ambassador to Italy and Albania. He is currently global and UK Chair of the Climate Group; Chair of the South Australian Film Corporation and Visiting Professor at King’s College London.